SCOTSMAN SCOURS THE JUNGLES FOR STRESS CURE

A Scottish scientist is on the verge of discovering a natural alternative to
Valium, which could combat stress without the dangers of addiction.

Since the 1960s, millions of people have become hooked on tranquillisers in
an attempt to ease the strains of modern living.

But now Professor Alan Harvey, of Strathclyde University, and his colleagues
in Argentina hope a South American herb will soon be helping people relax,
without the fear of becoming drug-dependent.

Like Sean Connery's character in the film medicine man, Prof. Harvey
believes there are still millions more undiscovered plants throughout the
world which could treat countless ailments.

The Professor of pharmacology, who is also director of the Strathclyde
Institute for Drug Research, said yesterday that locals in Uruguay and
Argentina had used the sage-like plant as a soothing herbal tea for years.

He said early tests had already shown the plant, known as Salvia gaurantica,
could treat anxiety without causing drowsiness.

Prof. Harvey said: "The scientists in South America started off
investigations into new plants they thought could be used as sedatives.

"They found in their first tests the plant extracts did not put them to
sleep, but found signs that at least some of the extracts prevented the
symptoms of anxiety and stress.

"We have been involved in some tests and also finding synthetic variations
which are probably about 100 times more active than the original natural
product."

He added his colleagues had already tested the plant extract on rats, and
found they did not become addicted, even after prolonged use.

The team is now looking for sponsors before toxicology tests and clinical
trials can go ahead. But if the tests are successful the drug could be on
the shelves within a couple of years.

While recognising there was a "lot of hype" about natural cures for diseases
being found in rainforests. Prof. Harvey insisted plants were invaluable to
research.

He said: "There are about 250.000 greenleaf plants on the globe, and only
about 10% have ever been tested for any biological effects at all.

"Since most of modern medicines have come from natural sources there must
still be a lot more to be found."

Rowdy Yates, director of the Scottish Drugs Training Project, said yesterday
benzodiazapines, of which Valium is a type, had been causing concern for
decades because of their addictive qualities.

He said: "There has been growing concern throughout the late 1970s and into
the 1980s about so called therapeutic dependence, which has resulted in
doctors being reluctant to prescribe them over any length of time."

The British Medical Association's GP Committee for Scotland welcomed the
research yesterday.

It said a non-addictive drug to treat patients with severe stress or anxiety
problems could be very useful.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett