Based upon two significant discoveries to fight hepatitis C, researchers from Stanford University say that an old drug may be effective against hepatitis C.

In their findings protein NS4B actively binds some of the genetic material RNA which allows the virus to duplicate.

It has also been discovered that an obsolete anti-itching drug clemizole hydrochloride could hinder the protein and decrease the virus replication many times.

Dr. Jeffrey Glenn, associate professor of gastroenterology and hepatology, has been quoted in Nature magazine as saying, "We're excited about this and we're actively moving forward toward clinical trials."

The research team studied more than 1200 drug candidates with the help of coin sized microfluidic chips that minimizes tabletop biological experiments down to the tiny scale of nanoliters, and found clemizole in two weeks.

Unlike other proteins large quantities of NS4B are difficult to purify while retaining the protein's natural properties and functionality.

According to Stephen Quake, PhD, professor of bioengineering and the other senior author, microfluidic technology has been used for the first time to discover a specific drug.

Co author Doron Gerber, PhD in bioengineering, during the research for the specific drug, discovered 18 drugs that substantially reduced NS4B but they focused on clemizole as it is known to be safe in humans.

Regarding clemizole Glenn said that it could become an essential component in a new class of multidrug treatments for hepatitis C.