Those who survived Covid-19 but are now battling with too much sugar in their blood, a condition called hyperglycemia that is a signature feature of diabetes, can look towards ayurvedic formulations like BGR-34 which are based on natural bioactive compounds with Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitory effects to manage the health issues.
According to a global analysis published in the journal, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, at least 14.4 per cent of Covid survivors have reported hyperglycemia causing dysfunctioning of their immune response.
Though a plethora of medicines are available in the market to check hyperglycemia, DPP-4 inhibitors have been found to be most safe to arrest the condition, as per a recent study in Elsevier journal. Symptoms of hyperglycemia are frequent urination, excessive thirst, blurry vision, or unexplained weight loss.
Developed by one of the labs of the Council Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), BGR-34 has natural bioactive compounds of Daruharidra with DPP-4 inhibitory effects. In fact, as per a research published in the Journal of Drug Research, the primary source of DPP-4 inhibitors is the herbal plant Daruharidra.
Dr AKS Rawat, scientist from CSIR’s lab National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, which has developed the ayurvedic drug, said, “Because of this property, the Daruharidra was added in the herbal formulation BGR-34.
The scientists had researched extensively to study its efficacy.”
Besides Daruharidra, BGR-34 has two other herbal elements that control hyperglycemia.
One of these is Gymnemic acids, which again, according to a ChemRxiv journal, controls hyperglycemia in the diabetes patients. These are sourced from Gudmaar herbal plants.
Similarly, the chemical element Trigonoside found in fenugreek, yet another herbal plant, too checks high blood sugar levels, as has been detailed in the journal, Environmental Challenge. BGR-34 too, among various other herbal ingredients, contains bioactive compounds of both these medicinal plants.
Giloy, Vijaysaar and Majeeth, all known for their anti-diabetic properties, are already found in
BGR-34. Dr Rawat said that these studies are proof that the herbal formulation is also effective in treatment of hyperglycemia in covid survivors.
While nearly one in six people with diabetes in the world being from India which is reeling under Covid-19, cases of hyperglycemia caused by damage of the pancreatic beta cells, leading to insufficient insulin production, is on increase.