Guwahati: In a major breakthrough for natural health research, a team of four scientists from Gauhati University’s Zoology Department has been granted a patent for an innovative plant-based formulation designed to tackle obesity and its associated health risks.
The patent, numbered 569904, was officially awarded by the Indian Patent Office on August 20, the university announced in a statement on Saturday.
The formulation combines extracts from two well-known medicinal plants — Phyllanthus urinaria, traditionally used for urinary disorders, and Adhatoda vasica (commonly known as Malabar nut), prized for its respiratory benefits.
For the first time, these plants have been scientifically utilized to address obesity, the research team said.
Developed by blending equal portions of both plants and extracting the compounds using a water-ethanol solution, the formulation demonstrated significant results during laboratory trials on mice.
The findings included notable reductions in body fat, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and overall weight, suggesting a safer, herbal alternative to conventional obesity treatments.
“This patent is a milestone for us and a step forward in integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches,” said researchers Manas Das, Pritimoni Das, Pranjan Barman, and Naba Kumar Hazarika.
Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu congratulated the team, emphasising the importance of academic innovation in solving real-world problems.
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“This achievement shows how research can transform knowledge into practical solutions,” he said in a post on X.
Gauhati University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nani Gopal Mahanta called the patent a proud moment for the institution, reflecting its commitment to research that is both culturally rooted and socially relevant.
“This accomplishment will inspire students and scholars to pursue impactful research,” he added.
The innovation is expected to pave the way for developing natural, affordable, and safe therapies for obesity, one of the fastest-growing global health challenges.
