S. Korean scientists identify traditional remedy for H1N1 flu

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details, comments throughout)
SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists have identified a substance
commonly used in traditional Oriental medicine that can destroy the Type-A H1N1
flu virus responsible for thousands of deaths worldwide last year, a state-run
research institute said Monday.

The Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) said the team led by Ma Jin-yeul,
head of KIOM's Center for Herbal Medicine Improvement Research, extracted
materials from "common" herbal substances widely used in traditional remedies.
The medicine, known by its scientific name KIOM-C, is made from a dozen of such
herbs and was given to mice infected with the Type-A flu virus.
"The mice were given liquid medication every other day with dissections carried
out to monitor the effects," Ma said. He said in animals given KIOM-C, all traces
of the virus vanished after nine days of treatment. Animals that received other
drugs during the extensive tests died.
"Laboratory tests conducted at the local company BioLeaders Corp. showed the
potent anti-viral qualities of the drug made from a substance found in Oriental
medicine," the principle research scientist said.
Without going into details on exact materials used, the researcher said basic
materials such as Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, peony and licorice
were used in the medicine.
BioLeaders, associated with local pharmaceutical firm Green Cross Corp., operates
a hightech, internationally recognized Bio Safety Level-3 laboratory and is one
of the few centers in the country that can test infectious diseases.
He hinted that test data showed the medication prevented the virus from spreading
within the body and may actually help protect people from getting sick. Such
capabilities outweigh those offered by existing drugs.
Ma claimed that while more detailed tests needed to be carried out the latest
development could open new horizons for applying traditional medicine to combat
viruses like H1N1 and typical seasonal cold. He said local clinics specializing
in Oriental medicine will be given exact details on the herbs to use in the near
future.
"The ultimate goal of the current research is to make the medicine available in a
tablet form around the world that can be easily consumed like the widely used
Tamiflu anti-viral drug," he said.
He speculated that such a tablet could reach the market in about three years.
KIOM, based 160 kilometers south of Seoul in the city of Daejeon, said because
the drug is made from "all natural" substances it does not carry the negative
side effects, including rapid weight loss and nausea, usually associated with
such antiviral drugs as Tamiflu.
It said a local patent was secured in November with protection being requested
under the International Patent Cooperation Treaty.
The institute under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said it
will expand research in the coming years to further develop the material and
could consider cooperation with foreign pharmaceutical companies.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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