UK Scientists Discover Cure For Ebola?

Since the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease EVD, thousands of innocent
lives in the West Africa has been claimed by the deadly epidemic,
Scientists and medical experts are trying every possible way to fight
the deadly Ebola virus and limit it's outspread. But all the hard
efforts turned to be of very less help till date.
However, the only silver lining is that experimental drugs are been
used to treat the victims of this deadly virus and it has shown some
positive results too. But it's a long way to announce the same as a
cure for Ebola
However, there is some good news in store.
A team from the Health Protection Research Unit at the University of
Liverpool's Institute of Infection and Global Health, said they have
stumbled across an existing drug used in the treatment of severe heart
disease, which could be adapted to fight the contagious Ebola virus.
It was gathered that the experts looked at what proteins inside a cell
are critical for the functions of Ebola virus and are hijacked by the
virus to help with infection. One of the proteins they have targeted
is known as VP24.
This protein disrupts signaling in infected human cells and disrupts
the body's immune system and the fight against the virus.
They further tried to find out if any existing drugs are available
that could block the function of this particular protein.
And to their amazement they found the heart drug 'ouabain'. This drug
when administered can reduce the virus' replication.
According to the team, further tests need to be done to ascertain the
efficacy of the drug, but as the heart drug is already in use, much of
the work to test whether it is safe for humans has already been
completed.
Speaking on their study, Julian Hiscox from the university's Institute
of Infection and Global Health, who led the research, said:"This study
shows how existing therapeutics can be identified and potentially
repurposed for anti-viral therapy.
"The technique of using existing and tested drugs for a different
purpose can save considerable time and ultimately, lives."