KP scientists discover indigenous drug for treatment of Leishmaniosis, KMU to hold clinical trails
In a remarkable achievement, the scientists in medicine have successfully prepared an indigenous drug for treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniosis (CL), a painful skin disfiguring disease registering constant surge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during last several years.
A duo of scientists from Khyber Medical University (KMU) and Gomal University D.I.Khan worked over for more than five years and finally became successful in preparation of a herbal ointment that gave very encouraging results in all stages of testing including `In vitro’ (laboratory) and `In vivo’ (in living organism including animal and humans).
Dr. Momin Khan, Associate Professor Micro Biology KMU and Dr. Adnan Ameen, Chairman Department of Pharmacognosy, the branch of knowledge concerned with medicinal drugs and other natural resources, Gomal University are founders of indigenous herbal ointment for treatment of CL.
Caused by bite of sand fly, CL is a parasitic disease that badly damages skin and also serves as a source of distress because of psychological trauma inflicted on patients by causing disfigurement on exposed body parts mostly face.
Leishmaniosis, a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), is endemic in Pakistan, mostly in KP and Baluchistan provinces and its treatment is solely dependent on support from international organizations including World Health Organization (WHO), Unicef, Gavi and Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF) in its import and supply at public sector hospitals.
Declaring the discovery as a praiseworthy development, Vice Chancellor KMU, Dr. Zia ul Haq has announced funding for large scale clinical trials of the new drug at hospital of KMU.
