The Thiruvananthapuram-based Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), one of the premier biotech research organizations in the country, has developed seven innovative herbal drugs, now undergoing various stages of efficacy tests and trials. The institute is currently in the process of patenting all these drugs.

With this, TBGRI, which developed the renowned herbal drug Jeevani from Aarogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus), will soon have about 18 product patents including ten for herbal drugs.

TBGRI has also developed two drugs based on Aarogyapacha, the wonder herb. Vaaji, a unique herbal sports medicine aimed to improve performance of sports persons is in the final stages of patenting after proven clinical and toxicological studies. Though the institute has developed a herbal kit for immuno-enhancing and stress relief similar to Jeevani, the patent process and technology transfer is still pending due to various reasons. Besides, patent applications have been given for an anti-pyretic drug and an anti-inflammatory drug, both developed from herbs, revealed Dr GM Nair, director of TBGRI to Pharmabiz.com.

He said TBGRI was also in the process of patenting a mix of herbal tea to cure osteoporosis, a cough syrup with anti-oxidant properties and a herbal pain balm, all developed as part of a World Bank aided pilot project. The drugs were developed from the traditional knowledge of the Kanis in Western Ghats.

"However, it is too early now to comment on these three drugs and reveal its nature and ingredients. Various stages of processes, efficacy and clinical trials have to be done besides filing the patent," said Dr S Rajasekharan, project co-ordinator and senior scientist at TBGRI. The two-year project was on the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal and aromatic plants implemented in nine tribal settlements in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts.

The director said TBGRI also had worked to develop a gluco liquid with immuno enhancing properties, now being patented by the Regional Research Laboratory (RRL), Jammu. The institute had developed and patented a psoriasis herbal drug Sisairosp, with petpala, neem and Narunandi herbs as ingredients. License for drug manufacturing and technology has been given to Jhaver industries of Madhya Pradesh. Out of the 18 patents, about 12 are in the biotech segment, Dr Nair informed.