Areas of Research - an overview

For this proposal we seek support for the Projects that focus on (1) Anti-Viral, (2) Anti-Inflammatory, and (2) Endocrine hormone-related issues.

Anti-Viral

Applied Ayurvedic Research Program is focused on building a new class of plant-based therapeutics based on a technology platform that effectively fights against viral diseases. The program integrates core proprietary platform technologies. Current interest is on simple cold, influenza and pandemic causing COVID-19. Though cure is a long way, preventative plant formulations are not out of our reach. We are experimenting with these possibilities.

Anti-Inflammatory

We are working on two systems: (A) Respiratory systems and inflammation and (B) Gastrointestinal system and issues related to inflammation to the gastrointestinal system.

A. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - RESPIRATORY SYSTEM ISSUES

Ayur has identified the natural extracts of botanical plants that had been used for a long time in ethno-herbal medicine to control immunological disorders such as Allergy, asthma, and cough. As the supply of the natural is very limited, we have developed a proprietary biotechnological process to enable its cultivation in large quantity to ensure regular commercial supply of food grade quality.

Natural extracts shows evidence of good efficacy in the dealing with the issues of asthma, allergic rhinitis and cough in experimental animals. In animal experiments, it improves pulmonary functions, inhibits airway hyper-responsiveness, suppresses the rise of eosinophiles and modulates IL-4 and INF-gamma levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Thus proves itself effective in cough suppression, and in promoting airway clearance.

In-vitro, Extracts inhibits mast cell degranulation, and the release of leucotrienes. It relaxes lung strip contraction but does not seem to have significant anti-histaminic effect on airway smooth muscle. We also have experiments showing its enhancing effect on ciliary activity in frog esophagus and rabbit airway.

 

The mechanism of action is probably via modulation and restoration of Th1 and Th2 balance (INF-gamma versus IL-4) and inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism (inhibition of leucotrienes).

 

Extracts markedly inhibited the increased lung resistance and the decreased lung compliance induced by antigen challenge, significantly reduced total cell counts and absolute eosinophil counts in BALF; They also inhibited recruitment of inflammatory cells in peritoneal lavage fluid and inhibited the allergen-induced mast cell degranulation. Thus, the extracts inhibit airway hyper-responsiveness by stabilizing mast cell membranes and reducing infiltration and chemotaxis of eosinophils.

B. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY - GASTROINTESTINAL ISSUES:

Gastritis (H. pylori)

Inflammation of the lining of the stomach is called Gastritis. Inflammation may be caused by the attachment of bacterium Helicobacter pylori, regular use of pain killers, and drinking excessive alcohol. Changing food habits are one of the problems leading to the chance of H. pylori (a gram-negative bacteria) infections. Foods high in fat and carbonated beverages are the commonly available foods leading to gastritis. Gastritis has become very common in the population of Kerala and in the nation. 85% of the populations infected with H. pylori do not show any symptoms of gastritis. However, the acute infection causes symptoms of abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and black stools, etc.

Antibiotic Resistance and Current Treatment

The infection of H. pylori makes serious ulcerations in stomach lining which if ignored or untreated could lead to cancer. The empirical treatment for H. pylori consists of three drugs, a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin and clarithromycin. Drugs with quadruple combinations having metronidazole and levofloxacin is also used, however the fluoroquinolones are highly toxic. This increases the seriousness of the diseases among the medical sector to force the combination drug treatments due to the limited options of antibiotics. Recently the H. pylori has started accruing antibiotic resistance due to the unscientific usage of over the counter antibiotics. The resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin caused the decreased cure rate of H. pylori infections. Need for naturally holistic approaches in facing this global issue.

Novel nutraceutical formulation for Helicobacter pylori infections

Ayur has initiated a novel approach for the treatment of H. pylori infection that is based on the knowledge and understanding of numerous plants' anti-pathogenic activities. These plants, however, do not produced desire outcomes when used solo or in a random combination of multiple herbs against H. pylori bacteria. We were able to identify a group of herbs that synergistically work against the pathogen H. pylori. All of the herbs that we identified for this purpose are food grade and generally regarded as safe (GRAS). Therefore, we are formulating our product(s) against H. pylori as a nutraceutical product to be available globally.

 

Sources of Plants

Good news is most of the plant as available in India, and many of those are in Kerala. Furthermore, a large scale cultivation of these plants are also economically viable, and thus the final product(s) is commercially feasible. The proposed formulation eliminates H pylori, relieves inflammation of stomach, regenerates the mucosal lining and improves overall stomach health.

The herbs will be collected and extracted out with aqueous and solvents extraction methods. These extract will be blended in a particular ratio to meet all the discomfort of the stomach caused by H. pylori infection. The dried extract blend will then filled in gelatin capsules aseptically and packed. The tablets are expected to have long shelf life if it is stored in cool and dry place. We hope this product will give current protocols of mitigating H. pylori infection an additional approach that is natural, safe.

 

ENDOCRINE HORMONAL PROBLEM

Endocrine hormone controls many physiological functions. It is important to keep the endocrine hormone level balanced at all-time. Modern hectic life-style and high demand on mental and physical systems always puts pressure on the hormonal systems. As a result, people are faced with stress, frustration, anxiety, and sleeping problem. Endocrine system also becomes imbalanced as our physiological body aged. Some of the well-known symptoms are prostate enlargement for men and menopause related hot flashes, night sweats.

Ayur has been working on several natural plant and herb extracts that have shown to balance endocrine hormonal-system. These extracts are of "functional food" category and available in natural food stores. Ayur has utilized its proprietary biotechnological processing methods and formulation techniques in developing its products for balancing endocrine hormonal system.

OVERALL STRATEGIES FOR YEAR ONE

• Ayur's primary objective is to complete the formulation of one Anti-viral.
• Complete formulation of one Anti-inflammatory nutraceutical for H. pylori and one for Allergy.
• Apply for grants and funding through Central Governmental schemes, WHO and other international grant-agencies.
• Expand scientific advisory team.
• Build R&D collaborations, and partnership.

OVERALL STRATEGIES FOR LONG TERM (2-3 years)

• The following objectives are designed in such a way so that Ayur can stay on the value-maximizing course over the long term.
• Expand product pipeline for other human diseases.
• Expand core team with comparable skills and talents.
• License out technologies to Asian and other international market.
• Raise funds for Research and development.