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About Us
National Facility for Tribal and Herbal Medicine (NFTHM), IMS, BHU ha d been
established by DST, Govt. of India; for the r esearch and development of herbal drugs by
taking the lea ds from a ncient concept of India n S ystem of Medicine and from the indigenous
tribal medical knowledge.
For the establishment of this nationa l facility, DST awarded a national facility
project “Establishment of facilities for Identification, Chemical characterization,
Standardization and Quality Control of Medicinal Plants found in Tribal area in Central
India” by sanctioning 7.56 Crore, in January 2008.
The present national facility at BHU has been developed on the very unique principle
for global promotion of herbal and tribal formulations. The plan includes that entir e process
of drug development will not be done at single centre but work will be primarily have a
collaborative program wher e collection, identification a nd standardization may be done at one
centre, preclinical biological studies like acute, sub-acute and chronic toxicity at another
centre, the clinica l trial will be done by practitioner of moder n medicine (specialist and super
specialist of moder n parameters with well defined protocol). Subsequently, the verification
will be done by differ ent centre both in country and abroad. Probably, with this role model the
herbal and tribal for mulation can be established as a drug at global level in a ver y short time
with minimum budget.
Profile
Herbal Medicine has been established at Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU in 2008 by the
Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
National Facility for Tribal and Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University
1. To conduct r esearch for evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of Tribal Plants found in Central
India.
3. To develop new investigational drug for clinical conditions taking leads from Tribal medical
knowledge system.
Neurodegenerative Drug Trial and Immuno Pathology Drug Qualit y Field Trial study
and Sleep Lab Unit Clinical Patho logy Laboratory Validat ion Unit Unit
Unit
An advisory board has been constituted to look after the policy matter and guidelines
for the National facility which will be as follows:
Dr. Praveen Kumar Singh, B.Sc., BAMS, Dip. Yoga (BHU) Medical Officer
Contact: 9415356798, praveensingh.bhu@gmail.com
Mamta Safaiwali
Najim Safaiwala
Vishnu Safaiwala
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In this unit various equipments especially for the electrophysiological investigations of the
patients (study subjects) ha ve been established. All the equipments are specific to the study
pertaining to the neurodegenerative study and for sleep disor der study. All the equipments are
established in the facility are as per GLP standards for the investigations.
The major equipments installed in the facility along with brief details are as below:
1. Neuroperfect plus (EMG-2000-1) - The unit is established to observe the various type of
cha nges in Ner ve C onduction velocity of body of study subjects. The data taken in the for m
of MNC V, SNCV, VEP, H-reflex etc provide the infor mation for the deter mination of neuro-
degeneration of study cases. The machine if fully computerized and software based for
functioning.
3. Multiparameter Monitor- To check the differ ent physical parameters of subjects such as
Pulse, BP, PaO2, Temp etc the facility is established.
4. Digital Me mory Scope - For checking the short time and long time memor y power, the
sma ll portable equipment is installed. The serial learning and pair ed learning progra m
installed in the instrument is being utilized to check the potential of study subjects. The easy
technique to check the memor y is available in this unit.
5. Transcranial Doppler Unit - Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a test that measures the velocity
of blood flow through the brain's blood vessels. Used to help in the diagnosis of emboli,
stenosis, vasospasm from a subarachnoid hemorrha ge (bleeding fr om a ruptured aneur ysm),
and other problems, this relatively quick and inexpensive test is growing in popularity in the
United States. The equipment is fully computerized a nd software based ha ving data storage
potential.
6. Attention Span apparatus - Attention span is the a mount of time that a person can
concentrate on a task without becoming distracted. For evaluating the attention potential the
National Facility for Tribal and Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University
equipment is fully computerized and has feasibility to store the data for the studies.
7. TMT machine - To check the abnor malities and cha nges during the physical exertion the
machine records the data.
8. Computerised 32 channel EEG Analyzer (NV3200) - The machine measur es the brain
waves with help of 32 channels positioned on hea d of subject. The collected infor mation in
the for m of EEG graph of study subjects usually provide the neurodegenerative changes in
the brain. The machine is fully computerized and well equipped for data storage.
9. CDE machine- The unit is a n advance automated unit for the detection of several
electroma gnetic waves of neurons in the body.
10. ENG Machine- The unit is an advance automated unit for the detection of several
electroma gnetic waves of neurons in the body.
11. Computerised Brain map (CBM2009) - The machine is highly sensitive for the
electroma gnetic cha nges of human brain. 32 electrodes positioned on the head of subject
collect specific infor mation for development of Brain Maps like Voltage map, Frequency
map and EEG graphs. The biochemical changes in huma n brain due stress or other
responsible parameters can be visualized in the for m of changes in voltage map. The facility
is an important component of Neurodegenaraitive Study Unit.
12. Physiopac-4 Channel polygraph machine - Several of the electrophysiological
characteristics of the huma n body can be measured with this ma chine. The test available with
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study subjects. The machine is fully computerized and the r ecorded data of the patients are
automatically stor ed in the Unit.
simultaneously measures 22 parameters including WBC 5- Part Differential. WBC, RBC and
Platelet are measured by electrica l resistance detection method. WBC is differ entiated in to
Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, Monocyte, Eosinophil a nd Basophil by light scatter techniqu e
(FLOW CYTOMETRY with laser).
HAEMOGLOBIN M CH
TLC MCHC
DLC PLATELET COUNT
NEUTROPHIL H CT
LYMPHOCYTE PCT
EIOSINOPHIL MPV
MONOCYTE PDW
BASOPHIL RDW
M CV RBC
3. Fully Automated ELISA (Evidence Investigator, CLIA) - The Randox unit had been
installed in the facility with a developed patented biochip array technology to enable the
simultaneous deter mination of a panel of analytes from a single test sa mple. The evidence
automated immunoassay analyser facilitates a ver y rapid thr oughput of test results per hour
(capacity >2000 tests/hour possible). A wide range of biochip panels are available to test
thyroid hor mones, cytokines, tumour markers, fertility hor mones and cardiac markers which
are generally specific to huma n diagnostics.
4. Fully Automated Urine Analyzer (Cobas U 411/Roche) - This analyser is based on the
principle of reflectance photometry. Test M calibration strips are used for the calibration of
the photometer unit of the a nalyser and for quality control use commercially available Urine
controls or other suitable control material wer e used. The unit is fully automated a nd well
ma intained for the required purpose.
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5. Other supporting equipments like Autoclave, Centrifuge, Hot Air Oven, Water purification
equipment, deep freeze are installed in the unit.
of reflection, absorption and the color identify, and mea sure the amount of a substance.
3. -80 C, Deep Freezer - To stor e the blood sa mples and kits at low temperature the facility is
established.
4. Trinocular & Binocular Microscope - These advance micr oscope facilities are equipped
with PC to collect the ima ges of slides.
5. Cryostat Microtome - The facility is installed for sectioning of tissues at very low
temperature.
6. Immuno-fluorescent Microscope - This advance immune flor escent microscope facilities
are equipped with PC to collect the ima ges of slides.
7. Mini PCR - Polymerase chain r eaction unit is established in the lab to a mplify sma ll quantity
of DNA.
8. Real Time PCR - Real-time polymerase chain reaction, also called quantitative real time
polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR/qPCR/qrt-PCR) or kinetic polymerase chain
reaction (KPCR), is a laboratory unit based on the PCR, which is used to a mplify and
simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule. It enables both detection and
quantification (as absolute number of copies or r elative a mount when nor malized to DNA
input or additiona l nor malizing genes) of one or mor e specific sequences in a DNA sample.
9. Inverted Microscope - The instrument is another microscope for routine sa mple study.
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10. Cryo Centrifuge - The low temperature fully automated centrifuge is established in the
facility.
National Facility for Tribal and Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University
11. Other instruments like Freeze, incubators, and other lab units are available in the facility.
This gr oup has also established regular field OPD’s on Wednesday of the week as per
the detailed below-
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National Facility for Tribal and Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University
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NFTHM/IMS/Profile
As per regulatory requirement this unit is being developed for the a nalysis and r esearch for
the evaluation of marker compounds in herbal drugs (plants), their quality validation and
investigation of newer chemical entities in tribal and herbal plants. The objectives of the unit
is validation a nd recor d of raw drugs along with their pharmacognosy, collection and review
of literature from ancient to modern period related to drugs, management of the quality of
drugs. The exploration of tribal medical practices r esided in the rural and tribal communities
of this part of country is being done through visits in these areas and the practices are being
standardized for collection of traditional medical knowledge. The regular testing of trial
herbal for mulations is maintained and recorded. In addition to experimental setup the facility
of specific HPLC-PDA unit is in process of procur ement for the quantitative evaluation of
active principles of herbal drugs and for mulations.
monitoring the activities of all levels both on schedule and off schedule. The detail working
protocol and SOPs for this unit has been developed.
National Facility for Tribal and Herbal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University
Achievements
Our group under the dyna mic lea dership of for mer director Prof. K.N. Udappa and for mer
Dea n, faculty of Ayurveda, Prof. G.P. Dubey ha ve done the pioneer ing work in the field of
herbal and tribal medicine in last three decades. Based on obser vational data, pre-clinical
anima l studies on toxicology, efficacy a nd safety profile of tribal and herbal formulations, our
group has got following patents national and inter national level. Out of mor e tha n 17
identified for mulations by our gr oup, the clinica l trial studies on four disor ders are under
process in current phase.
1. Development of Research lab for Experimental studies: In the current phase, the
preclinical experimental studies for tribal for mulation are being done in collaborative
centres in India. In future progra m we have to establish a GLP Research Lab for
experimental studies under this National facility centre. For building component the
Dept. of AYUSH has given his consent.
2. GLP accreditation of established facilities by regulatory authorities: The
regulatory acceptance of drug development research is mandatory for global
promotion of tribal and herbal drug. The GLP accreditation of established facilities is
urgent and is under process.
3. Conduction of training program for GLP and Drug develop ment research of
Tribal Medicine: As per the DST recommendations the regular programs for training
for GLP and Tribal Drug Development will be conducted for exploration and
development of expertise.
4. Exploration of new investigational tribal and herbal drugs taking the leads from
existing knowledge in tribal community of central India: The Tribes of India have
preserved a rich national heritage in the for m of Tribal medicine. The tribal
populations, who have been the primary inhabitants of natural habitats, hold
tremendous a mount of traditional knowledge on the use of various biotic resources,
which ma y ha ve gr eater importance to the on-going r esearch and discoveries in the
field. The Tribes are living in a closed compact society and utilizing pla nts and
anima l materials found in their locality. The compilation of the traditional concepts
and the development of new for mulations after taking the lea ds from tribal medical
knowledge will be explor ed from this part of the country which will be certainly a
key ma ndate of this establishment.
5. Clinical Trial studies for the AYUSH ayurvedic formulation: The GLP and GCP
complied clinical trial studies will be undertaken by the National facility of known
AYUSH ayurvedic for mulation for regulatory global acceptance.
6. Area of collaboration and interest: These referral patients are open for all the
research workers and scientists who are working in the area of tribal and herbal
medicine to take advantage of facilities in developing tribal and herbal drug for global
promotion.
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Presently in the national facility four IPR protected herbal formulations are being evaluated
for their potential and for their biological standardization. The for mulations are for prevention
and ma nagement of
Age related Neurodegeneration
Menopausal syndrome
Metabolic syndrome
Obesity
The patients are being included in the study after getting infor med consent in writing.
Patients are provided free investigations and drug for the whole period of follow up.
On follow up, patients are provided travel expenditure from clinical site.
The patients are convinced for the treatment of all the elements of side effect and adverse
effect of the drug.
Patient can report dir ectly to the national facility clinic as may be referred by doctor/hospital.
Feedback
The forth infor mation about the national facility ca n be get fr om Prof. R.G. Singh (PI & Co-
ordinator), Dr. Aruna Agrawal (Co-PI)
Prof. R.G. Singh,
PI and Co-ordinator,
Head, Department of Nephrology, Institute of Medical Sciences
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, UP India
E-Mail: profrgsingh@yahoo.com, rgsingh@bhu. ac.in
Contact: (O) 91-542- 2369938, (R) 91-542-2369936, (M) 91-9839080939