Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, have developed the Human Physiomimetic Liver Acinus Model (HPLAM), a 3D-printed liver model that mimics human liver functions to better predict drug-induced liver injuries. This advanced model aims to address the limitations of animal testing in drug toxicity evaluation, offering a more accurate and human-relevant alternative.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) have developed a device that can be 3D-printed and can be used to screen drug combinations in oral cancer patients. The design relies on patient-specific stem-like spheroids cultured on a chip. This innovation could help examine how individual patients respond to drugs before treatment begins.

A research group working on packaging antitumour drugs from Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, and Amity University, Haryana, has successfully trained immune cells to attack tumour cells. They have developed a hydrogel-based anticancer drug delivery system that reduces toxicity and targets tumours directly. This innovation shows promise for more effective cancer treatment pending further research and clinical trials.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have been linked by a recent study led by Amit Lahiri, a Senior Scientist at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. The study identified the protein CLUH as a regulator of mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation, providing insights into potential druggable targets for UC treatment.

As the world focused on developing coronavirus vaccines, a team of researchers from the National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar, delved into finding a therapeutic route for COVID-19. They tapped into the rich repository of Ayurvedic herbs and found Mulethi to be a promising candidate. The herb contains an active ingredient that shows potential in alleviating aggressive symptoms of COVID-19. Here is a report on their findings.

Researchers at the Central Drug Research Insitute (CDRI), Lucknow, recently synethesized a class of chemical compounds which have strong anti-oxidant and anti-dyslipidemic activity, adding to the arsenal of potential drugs targeting lifestyle disorders such as obesity and diabetes.

Researchers from the University of Mysore have recently found that an enzyme extracted from the leaves of a medicinal plant, Tricosanthus tricuspidata, can counter the tissue damage caused by the bite of the venomous saw-scaled viper. This is the first scientific report of the anti-snake venom properties of this plant, which is known to be used by local tribal communities to treat snakebites.