A group of Brazilian scientists began a series of experiments to test the effectiveness of a medicine of plant origin against Zika virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti in Brazil and has been linked to increased cases of microcephaly in newborns. EFE.
This natural medicine was developed by researchers at the Instituto Vital Brazil, a linked to the regional government of Rio de Janeiro laboratory, and has already proven effective in experiments to inhibit the replication of some viruses such as yellow fever and dengue reported today in a statement the government of the Brazilian state.
The Vital Brazil Institute said that experiments are still at an early stage but that the remedy produced plants has shown potential to fight different viruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti, which also spread chikungunya and dengue.
"We are very confident that we will have news in the short term. We are likely to have positive results in treatment for these diseases, even to serve pregnant women who contracted "said institute president, Edmilson Migowski, quoted in the statement of the Interior.
Laboratory experiments with animals are conducted in partnership with researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Federal Fluminense University and the forecast is that the first results can be presented in the first half of April, according to the governor of Rio de Janeiro.
According to Migowski, experiments carried out so far showed that medicine can prevent the virus of yellow fever and dengue type 2 are replicated.
The new tests try to determine whether the medicine of plant origin is also active to combat the dengue virus types 1, 3 and 4, the zika and chikungunya.
According Migowski, if the results are positive, the institute will conduct experiments with humans and initiate the process for the possible production of medicine.
"The idea is to ensure the production of the drug. We have ample physical space for that in our laboratory. We still have to evaluate how we will manufacture the medicine, but we are very optimistic about the development of studies "Migowski said.
According to the latest bulletin of the Ministry of Health, the zika already spread to 27 states in Brazil, one of the countries most affected by the virus and cases of microcephaly in newborns associated with the disease.
According to the bulletin released Tuesday from October 2015 until last week 944 cases of microcephaly possibly associated with zika in Brazil, while others remain under investigation 4,291 cases of newborns or fetuses with compatible symptoms were confirmed.
The Brazilian government declared last November the state of health emergency by the spread of zika and has resorted to military to find and eliminate potential breeding sites of Aedes aegypti.