/24-7PressRelease/ - January 14, 2006 - Institute of Science and Technology reported about the extraction of shikmic acid from star anise seeds, a key element to composing the drug Tamiflu.
Scientists took three months for this research and expect to produce Oseltamivir on a laboratory basis in the next five or six months, the institute said.
Shikmic acid is found in the anise pericarp seeds and it is a key ingredient in oseltamivir, commonly called Tamiflu, one of the few medicines deemed useful in treating the H5N1 bird flu virus in humans but also in short supply worldwide.
Anise seeds are found in southern China and the Lang Son mountain ranges in the north of Vietnam, some 150km from Hanoi.
Anise is a kind of spice that produces a licorice-like flavor. Purchased ground to a powder or in seed form. Utilized in flavoring cookies, cakes and liqueurs. It is originated in the Middle East, where it is grown today as a commercial crop. Small white flowers bloom in mid-summer, followed by tiny licorice-flavored fruits called aniseed. Aniseed adds rich flavor to cookies, cakes, candies, bread, and applesauce. It is widely used in Indian curries and stews. Use fresh leaves in salad.
Tamiflu is widely known as the only effective oral medication against a variety of strains of influenza, including bird flu.
In this regard, Nguyen Van Hung, deputy director of the Vietnam Chemistry Institute commented that we will produce oseltomivir en masse, but the capacity is still unknown,' Hung said by telephone Monday. 'At this time, we can only say that we are conducting research on producing it.
In addition to the above he said that We can produce tons of this kind of acid if we receive orders from the government.
The drug's patent-holder, Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, has cited limited supplies of shikimic acid as an obstacle to producing more supplies quickly.
A Vietnamese official also said Monday that the country is encouraged that H5N1 appears to have been brought under control in all 64 provinces.
This news is prepared by the editor of http://www.neglog.com on the basis of current news and updates.
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com# # #
Read more Press Releases from Barbara Camie:
