<i>Herbal tea to reduce insulin intake for diabetics invented</i>

Bangladeshi scientists recently invented an herbal tea that would help insulin-dependent diabetic patients reduce their insulin intake.
A group of scientists of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) invented the herbal tea from leaf extracts of local tree named Jarul (scientific name Lagerstroemia Speciosa Lin).
The research was conducted at BCSIR research institute in Chittagong, said the scientists at a press conference at the BCSIR meeting room yesterday.
BCSIR organised the press conference in association with Fame Pharmaceuticals that purchased manufacturing and marketing rights of the diabetic herbal tea formula from the BCSIR.
Fame Pharmaceuticals will market the herbal tea under the brand name of DiabeNo.
The BCSIR scientists who invented the diabetic herbal tea are Dr Ezharul Hossain, Kabir Ahmed, Dr Barun Kanti Saha, Dr Ashish Kumar Sarker and Bidhan Krishna Roy.
Dr AK Azad Khan, president of Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, said during his speech as chief guest that since the tea is extracted from nature, it has no side effect and it might be helpful for diabetic patients.
“Diabetes has spread in the world like an epidemic and developing countries are the worst victims of this disease. An estimated 60 lakh people in the country now have diabetes," he added.
Diabetic patients' body produces insufficient insulin that controls the level of sugar in their blood. Most people produce insulin naturally in their body.
The diabetic patients who are dependent on insulin injections might benefit from the herbal tea as the recommended use of the tea could lower sugar level in their blood through insulin secretion from their pancreas and thus lower their insulin intake requirement, said experts.
The herbal tea might also help reduce obesity, the experts added.
Prof Dr Choudhury Mahmood Hasan, chairman of BCSIR, said herbal drug is safe and effective and it has gained approval across the globe, securing a market share of $62 billion.
Bangladeshi scientists have immense potential and the government should encourage them with attractive incentives, he added.
M Rafiqul Islam, member (finance) of BCSIR, Dr M Akram Hossain, member (science and technology) of BCSIR, Matiur Rahman, chairman of Fame Pharmaceuticals, and Khairul Basher, chief executive officer of Fame Pharmaceuticals, were also present at the press conference.