New Delhi (dpa) - A new drug based on an herbal extract has been developed by an Indian university as an effective cure for the painful disease of piles and fissure, it was reported Sunday.

The University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, based in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh, conducted clinical trials on 32,000 patients suffering from piles and hemorrhoids to find they benefited from oral ingestion and topical applications of an extract of the herb Euphorbia prostata.

Encouraged by the results of the study, the university, along with Indian pharmaceutical major Panacea Biotec, recently patented the technology for extracting flavonoids from the herb Euphoria prostrata, reported news agency UNI.

These flavonoids reportedly have anti-viral, anti-allergic, anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant properties.

Subsequently, tests carried out on 118 patients suffering from piles by a team of physicians in Delhi revealed that their symptoms improved after administration of flavonoids in effective doses.

The physicians found that the extract was most effective when combined with other natural remedies like isphagulla husk.

Based on this technology, Panacea has developed an integrated natural piles management system by the name of "Thank God".

The company says it has patented the product worldwide and plans to introduce it soon in Europe, Latin America, and other parts of Asia.

From Healthy.net