Herbs could soon be covid-19 cure, local scientists

Kenyan scientists are testing the efficacy of a herb used by traditional healers to find out whether it speeds up recovery from Covid-19 as the search for a cure for the disease intensifies.

Researchers from the Institute of Primate Research (IPR) told us that the studies would first be done on monkeys before being conducted on humans.

The institute, the largest such facility in Africa, will use some of its 250 monkeys for the research.

They plan to test an extract from a plant known as Ajuga remota, known as Wanjiru wa Rurii in Kikuyu, and which has similar characteristics to the herbal remedy from Madagascar, which is sourced from the plant Artemisia annua, for its potency.

“We believe that if the herbs are put to the test, they can help bring us close to finding a way to deal with Covid-19, Dr Peter Mwethera, a senior research scientist at IPR said.

The scientist, who helped develop what could be the world’s first HIV killer gel, added that the herbs had shown promise in slowing down the effects of Covid-19.

Ajuga remota was traditionally used by the Kikuyu, Embu and Mbeere to treat malaria.

In a similar move last month, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), also started testing the efficacy of an herbal medicine known as Zedupex, developed by Kenyan researchers in 2015, which has been effective in treating herpes.

Dr Atunga Nyachieo, the chief of research at IPR, said that apart from testing the effectiveness of the herbs in controlling the spread of the virus, the centre was working on formulating an immune booster to help those who might already be infected.

“We’re also requesting those intending to develop new vaccines by testing them in Africa to pass them through IPR as we are the only dedicated primate research institute in the whole of Africa,” he said.

The research comes after the government set aside Sh250 million to support the institute to offer Covid-19 testing and research.

“Other than receiving swabs to conduct tests to find out who is infected, we have also requested for blood samples of the Covid-19 infected so as to support research in coming up with a cure or an immune booster,” Dr Nyachieo said.

Although the institute launched its Covid-19 testing drive last Monday, mass testing is yet to start due to lack of test kits and reagents, which are expected in the next two to three weeks.

“This process will be managed by two personnel shifts of 12 hours each daily. It will enhance mass testing power to ascertain the spread of Covid-19 in Kenya,” Dr Amina Mohammed, the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture, said during the launch of drive.

IPR, a department at the National Museums of Kenya, falls under Dr Mohamed’s ministry.

According to Dr Hasting Ozwara, the institute’s director, the facility can conduct 300 tests daily for  the next 90 days.

“The number will go up with time. We plan to get reagents the same way other facilities have been getting,” Dr Ozwara said.

IPR has ordered kits directly from manufacturers outside the country he said.

Dr Ozwara added that the institute has a budget to test 27,000 samples in three months.

Nation also established that the wrangles over  how to spend the Sh250 million has partly contributed to a delay in starting the tests and research into Covid-19.

Some of the senior researchers, who requested anonymity,  questioned the procurement of some of the items, saying, they were over-priced.

They also claimed that a number of the items procured were not essential—allegations Dr Ozwara denied.

“We have sourced all the products following all the laid-down government procurement procedures,” he said.

While the results will be released after 24 hours, Dr Ozwara said, the molecular detection and testing of Covid-19 (polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is slow.

He, instead, rooted for antibody/antigen testing, which  the institute is preparing to embark on. “We are preparing to start undertaking serological testing because it is the most realistic approach for mass testing,” he said.

Unlike the PCR tests, serological testing is done to ascertain the recovery rates within a population with a view to informing key decisions. It can establish the total number of people who have been exposed to the virus.

The PCR method uses swabs, but serological testing uses blood samples to establish if there are antibodies that are produced in response to an infection. The test is much faster and cheaper, Dr Ozwara said.

“We are currently testing kits in readiness to start serological testing,” he said.

The IPR boss said that IPR is validating the kits so that it can start testing as soon as it gets the go-ahead, and as soon as the World Health Organization (WHO) issues guidelines on how the tests should be done.

Noting that the PCR process is slow, he said: “That is why we have done under 100,000 tests in a month. It needs to be backed up by serological testing.”

IPR has already set up a testing centre for Covid-19 to avoid mixing it with other tests. Currently, there are another 20 laboratories in the country undertaking Covid-19 testing.

Already, the Kemri | Wellcome Trust is already developing antibody tests.

Experts have argued that increased testing of Covid-19 is important for countries to be able to control the spread of the virus.

In the past two weeks, the number of samples being tested has increased, but the numbers could be more if adequate testing reagents are available.

The institute is also undertaking research using animal models to understand Covid-19 progression and “dynamics in humans and progression of research tools such as DNA libraries to support Covid-19 research”.

8,198 thoughts on “Herbs could soon be covid-19 cure, local scientists”

  1. Hi!
    Ready to take control of your financial future? Invest in binary options and enjoy returns of up to 800%! Our platform is easy to use, fast and secure, making it the perfect choice for both novice and experienced traders. Start your journey to financial freedom today! #binaryoptions #investing #profits

    Earn every minute without limit of $100, $500, $1,000, with a minimum bet of $1.
    Instant withdrawal!!!

    WARNING! If you are trying to access the site from the following countries, you need to enable VPN which does not apply to the following countries!
    Australia, Canada, USA, Japan, UK, EU (all countries), Israel, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Korea, Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Vanuatu, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
    Sign up and start earning from the first minute!
    https://trkmad.com/101773

  2. Mindfulness techniques, such as focusing on the present moment and reducing distractions, can help men with impotence to relax and be more present during sexual encounters. This can enhance enjoyment and reduce performance anxiety.
    order generic fildena 100mg http://www.fildena.makeup/ fildena 50mg for sale

  3. donde comprar reduslim en mercadona [url=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/reduslim/]reduslim[/url] reduslim el corte ingles
    reduslim original [url=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/reduslim-kaufen/]reduslim kaufen[/url] reduslim santiago segura estafa
    cialis 5mg prezzo [url=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/it/cialis-5mg-prezzo/]cialis[/url] cialis 5mg prezzo
    comprar reduslim amazon [url=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/]comprar cialis 5 mg[/url] reduslim para que sirve

    [url=http://cgi.netlaputa.ne.jp/%7Ewatts/cgi-bin/dotambbs_2FUEwerwsH2059esJHMNBdcU7nzjdiUR7Lw1aqappewKIJs32de7k01sdfaLKIwe.cgi]reduslim farmacias zaragoza[/url] 907a4e7

  4. Оптимальные варианты интернета на даче
    подключить домашний интернет в частный дом [url=https://www.internetnadachu.su]https://www.internetnadachu.su[/url].

  5. over the counter birth control pills [url=http://birthcontrolpills.pro/#]birth control pills[/url] birth control pills without seeing a doctor

  6. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with
    the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did
    you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare
    to see a great blog like this one these days.

  7. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Safari.
    I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I figured I’d
    post to let you know. The style and design look great though!

    Hope you get the problem solved soon. Many thanks

  8. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your weblog.
    You have some really great articles and I think I would be a good asset.

    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some material for your blog in exchange for
    a link back to mine. Please blast me an e-mail if interested.
    Thanks!

  9. п»їpaxlovid [url=http://paxlovid.pro/#]paxlovid cost without insurance[/url] paxlovid price

  10. paxlovid pharmacy [url=http://paxlovid.pro/#]paxlovid price[/url] paxlovid pharmacy