Groundnut for diabetic cure may be a reality soon

BANGALORE: The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, is working on transgenic or genetically-modified groundnut and Colius forscolias an effective cure for diabetes. Forskolin, an active ingredient found in Colius forscoli, is used as a dietary supplement.

These transgenic materials will also carry a specified quantity of insulin. “We are in the process of undertaking preliminary trials on diabetic mice with Nimhans.

On completion, we would have to test for efficacy on humans and then look at commercialising it,” says TKS Gowda, director (post-graduate research) at UAS, Bangalore.