Researchers at Patanjali have made a promising breakthrough in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) by discovering the potential of Solanum virginianum, also known as “Chhoti Kateli”, in preventing the disease. The study, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, suggests that herbal treatments for TB can be developed as an alternative to traditional medication. This breakthrough is timely, as the medical world is facing challenges with rising drug resistance and severe side effects from long-term use of TB drugs.
The current TB drugs have limitations, including low bioavailability, which means they are not well absorbed by the body. Additionally, the TB bacteria can develop resistance to these drugs over time, making them less effective. Long-term use of these drugs can also harm the liver, posing a risk to patients. To address these issues, the researchers at Patanjali explored the potential of Solanum virginianum extract (SVE) as a safer and more environmentally friendly option.
The laboratory experiments were conducted on Mycobacterium smegmatis, a bacterium that behaves similarly to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes TB. The results showed that the herb extract significantly reduced the growth and survival rates of the bacteria, suggesting that “Chhoti Kateli” can actively suppress the bacteria.
The study suggests that SVE can be formulated as a single herbal medicine or as an adjunct therapy to current anti-TB medications. This could lead to lower drug doses, reduced side effects, and prevented escalation of drug resistance. While more research, including human clinical trials, is needed before it can become a mainstream treatment, the study contributes to the growing discussion on combining traditional herbal medicine with conventional medical approaches.
Acharya Balkrishna, a key figure at Patanjali, emphasized the need to tap into India’s rich treasury of medicinal flora, which may hold solutions to some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. The discovery of the potential of Solanum virginianum in preventing TB is a promising step towards developing alternative treatments for this disease, and highlights the importance of exploring traditional herbal remedies in the fight against infectious diseases.