The Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) is likely to replace hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with anti-HIV
drugs to improve immunity and possibly reduce viral replication, in the revised
protocol. However, the chemicals in Kangra tea could also be effective in
boosting immunity as they can block coronavirus activity better than anti-HIV
drugs, said Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource
Technology (IHBT), based in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. Dr Kumar has revealed
this fact during a webinar organized at IHBT on the occasion of the
International Tea Day.
In his lecture, Dr
Kumar discussed the benefits of Kangra tea for society and industry,
medicinal properties of tea for human health and the technologies developed and
transferred by IHBT for combating COVID-19 disease. “Using computer-based
models, the scientists screened 65 bioactive chemicals or polyphenols that
could bind to a specific viral protein more efficiently than commercially available
anti-HIV drugs approved for treating COVID-19 patients. These chemicals might
block the activity of the viral protein that helps the virus to thrive inside
human cells”, said Dr Kumar.
IHBT, a constituent of Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has also produced and supplied the
alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing tea extract and natural aromatic oils
through its technology partners. The Institute has developed herbal soap with
tea extract, natural saponins and without SLES (sodium laureth sulphate), SDS
(sodium dodecyl sulphate) and mineral oil. This soap provides anti-fungal,
anti-bacterial, cleansing and moisturizing benefits. The soap is being produced
and marketed by two companies based in Himachal Pradesh.
“Tea catechins
production process which has been transferred to M/s Baijnath Pharmaceuticals,
and Ready to Serve Teas and Tea wines which could be game changer for Kangra
tea”, added Dr Kumar. Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell
damage and provide other benefits.
On this occasion,
Tea vinegar technology has been transferred to a company based in Dharmshala.
Tea vinegar has anti-obesity properties. Also Herbal Green and Black Teas
blended with AYUSH-recommended herbs were launched. These products could be
very useful for boosting immunity against COVID-19, say IHBT scientists.
*****
KGS/(India Science Wire)
(Release ID:
1626349)
Posted On: 23 MAY 2020 2:02PM by PIB Delhi
