Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : October 12, 2014 5:12 PM IST
Globally scientists and health care experts are trying their best to find a cure for the deadly Ebola virus which has been claiming life with a vengeance. Till date some experimental drugs have shown marginal results with their tests and lab studies. However, scientists are now being optimist about the experimental drugs too. They have revealed that tobacco leaf and beer could hold the key to beating Ebola.
They arrived to this conclusion after seeing the results of the experimental drug ZMAPP. According to scientists, the ZMAPP medicine, made by infecting tobacco leaves with a genetically engineered virus that contains in instructions to make three antibodies to Ebola, has already been used on seven humans with the virus in the current Ebola outbreak, and it has shown some positive results.
Scientists have revealed that all of the 18 monkeys infected with Ebola and treated with ZMAPP in a trial survived and five of the seven humans who've used the drug lived, while one of the vaccines that could help prevent the spread of Ebola could be made in any brewery according to the head of the pharmaceutical company that makes it.
Here are few facts about ZMapp you should know
ZMapp is a combination of antibodies
ZMapp is actually a mixture of antibodies that are designed to target and inactivate the Ebola virus. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDS), the drug is combination of three different antibodies produced by exposing mice to fragments of the virus. The generated antibodies were then extracted to make the drug.
ZMapp mimics natural immune response
Natural antibodies produced in the body confer direct protection against the pathogen by attacking them directly. Similarly, these lab designed antibodies also attack the virus but in a specific way. The antibodies are designed such that they bind to a specific part of the virus and mimic the natural response of your immune system. They also develop active immunisation.
ZMapp is effective in primates, studies in humans yet to be done
In a documented study, this combination of antibodies was found to effectively treat 43% of animals challenged with the Ebola virus. Soon after the Ebola outbreak killed several West African citizens in afflicted areas of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Liberia, ZMapp was used for the treatment of two Americans diagnosed with the infection. The drug showed promising results and both the patients seemed to be improving after taking them. However, the drug was used on an experimental basis. It is yet to be proven safe and effective through clinical trials.
(Read: Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention)
Photo source: Getty images
With inputs from ANI
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