Ozone may provide cure for some ailments
Ozone, known to protect us from ultraviolet rays, could soon be tamed to help cure few diseases too. Trials in different parts of the world have given evidences that ozone is capable to treat foot ulcers among diabetic patients and minor skin ailments.
Ozone, known to protect us from ultraviolet rays, could soon be tamed to help cure few diseases too.
Trials in different parts of the world have given evidences that ozone is capable to treat foot ulcers among diabetic patients and minor skin ailments.
"Researchers found that using ozone in gaseous form helped cure foot ulcers. Ozonisation of particular lotion helped cure minor skin ailments," says Prof Douglas Oliver, of the North-West University in Patchefstroom (South Africa).
Prof Oliver was in the city to participate in the 4th National Symposium on Current Trends in Drug Discovery organised by Central Drug Research Institute.
A word of caution. "Ozone should not be used on the basis of few evidences as clinical trial results are ye to come," Prof Oliver said. Israel, Switzerland, Cuba and Russia are the countires where trial with ozone is going on in different stages to study its therapeutic use.
At present, he said, animal trials are going on and the animals are given low and high dose of ozone to inhale. Then pictures of the animal brain are taken to see the effect.
"Behavioral change was observed in the animal given high dose while the one given low dose behaved normal," said Prof Oliver.
But why is ozone required as medicine when drugs are available?
Prof Oliver said, "Alternative medicines have been found useful in many parts of the world. These include herbs, ayurved and one such alternative can be ozone molecule, which is being seen as potential medicine for several ailments."
Explaining about the necessity of the clinical trials of a medicine before usage Prof Oliver said there are always three norms (safety, quality and efficacy) followed while making a medicine. "If even factor one is missing the long term impact of the medicine might harm more than it cures," he said.