Two young female scientists yesterday were named as winners of the MSD Young Allergist and Immunologist Investigator Award for their studies into applying an injection drug "epinephrine" as an inhalant medication - and for the use of Thai traditional medicine "Phlai" as an anti-asthmatic drug.
The award is the first in the field of allergy and immunology in Thailand. The winning research will be presented at the international level of the clinical allergy and immunology competition. Each winner will receive a grant of Bt50,000.
Dr Kanittha has studied how to apply the drug epinephrine as an inhalant, ultimately leading to a reduction in the time taken to save a patient's life from anaphylaxis [allergic reaction].
Epinephrine is injected into the quadriceps muscle after exposure to allergens that can be found in foods, drug and insects.
"Delays in diagnosis and treatment can be life threatening," she said.
Patients with these symptoms are advised to carry epinephrine with them at all times but injection is considered an inconvenient treatment when a sudden allergy occurs. Patients are often reluctant to use epinephrine because of improper training, hesitancy and fear of needles.
According to her study in five volunteers who are not allergic patients, she found the drug could work very well when the medication was sprayed into a volunteer's nose. An inhaled drug contained 5 milligrams per dose and the injected drug 0.5mg per dose.
She studied 12 volunteers to evaluate the dose and side effects of the drug.
Another study, conducted by Thidarath, showed the underlining mechanisms of the Thai traditional medicine "Phlai" can block the production of mucin - a protein that usually increases in asthmatic patients and is the main cause of mortality among them.
She said this mechanism could reduce the production of mucin in the patients and save their lives.
At present, patients can control allergic rhinitis and asthma by using inhaled corticosteroids, topical or oral non steroidal medications. But these methods are difficult for patients to use when they develop asthmatic symptoms.
Thidarath's study was conducted in the laboratory and she is planning to continue it in both animal and human trials. She expected she could eventually develop the drug in tablet form to help asthmatic patients conveniently access the medication.