India, March 16 -- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee scientists have discovered a potential drug that can possibly be used to treat Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral disease that causes fever, joint pain, muscle pain, and rash.

As per IIT Roorkee, Efavirenz, a drug widely used for HIV treatment, may serve as an effective therapy for Chikungunya disease, as it has been shown to reduce Chikungunya virus replication both in vitro and in mice models.

The finding is part of a study conducted by IIT Roorkee supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The study found that Efavirenz was able to reduce virus levels in lab-grown cell cultures and in an infected mice model.

As per the National Centre for Vector-Borne...