Why did the Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr) conduct research on _vijaysara_ ( _Pterocarpus marsupum_ )? Allopathic physicians do not use traditional herbal medicines because they

are not convinced of their efficacy. They will only be convinced if controlled trials are conducted. Secondly, _vijaysara_ (see box) is an indigenous Indian plant and researchers at icmr

wanted to see whether remedies mentioned in the ancient texts can be introduced to modern medicine or not. What was unique about the preparation process of this drug? Firstly, we

standardised the preparation, which means every sample of the drug that we tested contained the same amount of active medicinal principle. This has never been done before. Secondly, we

the same amount of medication. Therefore, a 'double blind trial' with a flexible dose of _vijaysara_ and tolbutamide was conducted. This is the kind of trial that will be accepted

globally. It was indeed a great effort and it has taken us eight years to do it. How is _vijaysara_ better than the already available drugs? The main reason for finding _vijaysara_ more

promising was that it had very few side effects. Will it be accepted in the West as a medicine or as a health supplement? Marketing it as a health supplement will be easy but we would like

to introduce it as an allopathic medicine. Due to proper clinical and toxicological trials this drug will be accepted by the West. Acceptance can only be gained if standardisation is

acheived; clinical trials are conducted and the results are recorded in the _Indian Pharmacopeia_, which lists all the medicines avaiable in the market. icmr is confident because the drug

has gone through stringent tests, and meets all international specifications. What will be the marketing strategy for the Indian market? Our strategy is to first make the drug acceptable to

the Drug Controller General of India as an allopathic drug, and not as a herbal drug that anyone can prepare and market without a check. We have to do this fast as we have come to know that

a laboratory in Japan is importing 40 tonnes of _vijaysara_ every month. They are sure to come up with a drug very soon. We have asked the government of India to declare _vijaysara_ a plant

of national importance, so that only we can make a drug from it. What are the other drugs that you are working on and how soon will we see them in the market? Another drug icmr is working on

is derived from a a plant called _kutki _ ( _Piccorizha kurroa_ ), which will prove to be very effective for protecting the liver. The Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, has found

and patented the active principle of the drug and it is almost ready to be handed over to the industry. Another plant we are working on is _sihora_ _(Streblus asper_ ) _ _ which seems to be

effective against brugei filariasis, a mosquito borne disease. As of today, very few medicines exist for the treatment of this disease.