'Desi Viagra' likely to roll out of Kerala institute

A plant-based 'desi Viagra' is likely to roll out of Kerala's Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI )near here in under two years, says its director.

TBGRI director A. Subramonian, principal investigator of the project undertaken for the past three years, said they were in the process of applying for a patent.

"In another three weeks, we will file the patent and then only I can give you the exact details because if I say the name of the study, then the name of the plant would be known," said Subramonian.

He said the plant on which the drug would be based was seen commonly in several parts of Kerala.

"Once we get the patent, there would be a discussion with doctors and if they suggest there should be animal trials, it will be done. So far what we have concluded is that this can directly go for human trials. Within two years, the product will be available in the market, as things stand now," added Subramonian.

Situated at Palode near here, TBGRI is an autonomous institute established by the government of Kerala in 1979 and functions for inventory, conservation and sustainable utilisation of plant wealth through R&D efforts.

The basis of this new study is the PhD thesis of a student. The project was subsequently funded by the Department of Science and Technology.

Viagra is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunctioning in men.