Creation of Highly Effective Anti-Viral Agent(s) (Our latest US Patent #: 12617014, Issued on May 5, 2026)—A major milestone in Herbal Nanomedicine:
The sweetgum tree (botanical name: Liquidambar styraciflua) has been known to human civilization since prehistoric times. For over five thousand years, there are references for using plethora of phytochemicals from this plant species for treating various diseases and aliments in human populations. Indian-origin Ayurveda system of medicine employs cocktail of phytochemicals from this plant—although the limited bioavailability of phytochemicals has impeded transformation of such phytochemical cocktails as reliable and predictive medicines for the global population.
Green nanotechnology discoveries from our laboratories, over the last 35+ years, have demonstrated that the large surface area of gold/silver, with thousands of atoms, allows embedding phytochemicals cocktails on nanoparticles—resulting in optimal enhancement of bioavailability for predictable patient outcomes through herbal medicines. This approach has led the genesis of a new medical modality referred to as ‘Nano Ayurvedic Medicine’ (with first patent(s) granted in 2023/2024). Our continued pursuit on the scientific validation of herbal medicine through Green Nanotechnology (as described in our latest US Patent #: 12617014, Issued on May 5, 2026) embodies shikimic acid, and various phytochemicals present in sweet gum plant extracts, when interacted with silver precursor, results not only in well-defined silver nanoparticles, but those nanoparticles would forma corona consisting of cocktail of Shikimic acid, along with Procyanidin B1 and related polyphenols, flavonoids and alkaloids.
This patent also describes our discovery on the creation of the corresponding gold nanoparticles with unprecedented immunomodulatory features for treating cancer and various inflammatory diseases. These silver nanoparticles have been tested for their broad-spectrum antibacterial properties as well as for their efficacy against deadly virus including COVID-19 in actual live strains through Contract Research Organizations (CRO) in the US/India and other countries. The highlight of our discovery is the development of an antiviral/antibacterial agent, from sweet gum mediated silver nanoparticles, having unprecedented efficacy as an antiviral agent exceeding 3 log 10 (99.96%) reduction in COVID 19 viral titer.
We thank stellar scientists from our group (Dr. Kavita Katti, Dr. Velaphi Thipe and Dr. Alice Raphael)—who have made this remarkable medical breakthrough a reality. We also thank the leadership of Kadamba company in Bengaluru—who have licensed our technology and translated our discoveries into lifesaving products for treating cancer and deadly bacterial and viral infections after regulatory approval. This discovery and the contents in the patent further reinforce the real therapeutic power of phytochemicals if proper bioavailability tools are discovered.
