In a breakthrough move, scientists in India today claimed to have developed a herbal medicine against dengue fever. The project jointly undertaken by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and two private entities employed the traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda in devising the drug. The researchers have found out, that the extract from velvetleaf, a species of flowering plant was a potent inhibitor of all four types of dengue strains. <br/><br/>Experts are now gearing up to hold clinical trials and toxicity studies before seeking permission from the Ministry of Ayush and the Drug Controller of India (DCI) for commercial production. Dengue, a mosquito-borne tropical viral disease, poses a significant global public health risk. India represents 50 per cent of the global population estimated to be at risk of dengue.