As a part of a mega project `New Millenium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative' (NMITLI) undertaken by the CSIR ,University of Pune (UoP) is working on a herbal solution for the cure of arthritis.

The Inter-disciplinary School of Health Sciences of UoP is working in association with three local research organizations to develop an Ayurvedic arthritis drug based on technological advances in fields like chemistry, pharmacology and clinical sciences. The UoP is being assisted by the Pune based Agharkar Research Institute, Centre for Rheumatic Diseases and Bharati Vidyapeeth.

Commenting on the drug, Director of the School, Dr. Bhushan Patwardhan said, "We are aiming at a drug that can prevent damage to cartilages and provide relief from pain without the harmful effects normally witnessed in the use of pain-killers or steroids.'' He further added that the CSIR has identified 15 areas of research in which India holds a wide traditional base, which can be nurtured and developed to the country's advantage. And development of technology based ayurvedic drugs is one of these areas with the prime focus being drugs for arthritis, diabetes and hepato-protective medicine, meant for correcting liver damage.

The fund sanctioned for the drugs project by the CSIR is Rs. 15 crore, of which Rs.3.5 crore would be invested in development of the arthritis drug. Drugs for diabetes is being developed in Mumbai by SPARC at Bharati Vidya Bhavan under the guidance of Dr. Ashok Vaidya and for Hepato-protective the research s being carried out by NBRI, Lucknow under the guidance of Dr. P. Pushpagandan.