Medihope-a product from city-based Ayurvedic medicine manufacturer Ram Katkar — brings hope to those suffering from the excruciating side effects that come with chemotherapy, treatment for the noxious disease of cancer. After receiving patents from the central government last year, the company, Hope Ayurvedic Medicine Pvt Ltd, has now registered in 108 other countries for patenting the product as a special Ayurvedic medicine.

According to Katkar, chief executive officer, Hope Ayurvedic Medicine, Medihope will reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, in which anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs are used to destroy cancer cells during the course of treatment. "After getting the patents last year, we had to wait for another year for the rains to come. The herbs used in the medicine grow only after monsoon; so now have now got all our required raw material," Katkar said.

An engineer by profession, working in government services, Katkar took a five-year break from his profession to develop this medicine. "When I discovered this formula, I wanted to use it for the benefit of the common man," he said.

Having researched on the medicine for more than a decade, Katkar said, "The medicine was developed after several lab tests and over 3,000 trials. Medihope is effective on the body in just two to four days. If supplemented with cancer drugs, it expedites recovery. The course of treatment depends on the type and severity of cancer and the cost would be around Rs 4000-7000."

"Unlike the metallic Bashm, the key ingredients, Saptrangi and Tantani, being extracts of leaves, are completely herbal. Medihope is not a cure for cancer, but an effective medication that helps reduce the side effects of various radiation therapies used in cancer treatment," said Katkar, adding, "Medihope helps heal blood-related disorders and prevent nausea, weakness and depression. Along with general health, urine problems and other blood-related disorders like anemia, that is largely found in women, it also helps in curing diabetic wounds, which if not treated, can get gangrenous," said 48-year-old Katkar, an alumni of Walchand College, Sangli. Medihope will be launched in the market in early 2009 and the company will have offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad, with their head office in Pune, Katkar said.