KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 -- Universiti Malaya's Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (Tidrec) has launched a clinical trial on an herbal remedy aimed at combating dengue fever.

The clinical trial is a result of over a decade of research and development between Tidrec and homegrown bioscience company Herbitec Sdn Bhd, an indirect subsidiary of Tanco Holdings Berhad, to develop an effective antiviral solution for dengue fever.

Tidrec executive director Prof Dr Sazaly Abu Bakar told the media at the launch that the research and development efforts on the project began in 2011 when Herbitec (M) Sdn Bhd approached the centre.

"At that time we were given an extract from the Scutellaria baicalensis plant with a common name ...