A recent research done by scholars of Burdwan University in the suburbs of Kolkata has shown that the berries of a wild weed used in Ayurvedic formulation can help to eradicate mosquitoes spreading dengue and act as a resistant to synthetic insecticide. The weed which helps in eradicating dengue is known as Solanum villosum which a member of the family of nightshade possessing medical properties and are used as Ayurvedic herbs.

About two fifth of the total population of the world is now at risk from dengue. West Bengal with its recent severe outbreaks of Dengue is not an exception. Dengue is characterized by high fever, pain and rashes. Dengue haemorrhagic fever is the most complicated type which most likely affects children. In the recent years there have been quite a few deaths in Kolkata because of this disease. With this path breaking discovery a cure for Dengue is likely to be found soon.

This research has been carried out in the University of Burdwan where the juice from the berries have been extracted and used on the mosquitoes spreading yellow fever and dengue.
The researchers have found out that the extracts of this weed is highly effective in killing the larvae of S.aegypti responsible for spreading dengue. The researchers claimed that the extracts of this weed is not as strong as Malathion but it has the capability to kill the mosquitoes of stagnant water.

Goutam Chandra one of the researchers who conducted this study mentioned the essential compounds of the berries are the two types of phytochemicles- primary and secondary. The secondary phytochemicles include terpenoid, steroids, alkaloids and flavonoids. These chemicals act a repulsive agent which protect against the larval mosquitoes that are instrumental in causing dengue.

The recent outbreaks of dengue in the region have made it imperative to discover a cure for this menace. This has become even more essential after mosquitoes have developed a resistance towards the synthetic insecticide such as Melathion. The new cure, though still in the trial stage, has however generated a lot of enthusiasm among the medical practitioners.