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5/26/2006 - DOCTORS in China are using herbal medicines for treating cardiovascular diseases, said Assoc. Prof. Dr Zhang Xu from the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine in China.
She said these have been found to be effective after numerous clinical trials, using animal and human models.
For the last three years, Dr Zhang, who specialises in research on herbal medicines, has been researching into the properties of a herb called mai dong (a type of root) found in Nanjing Jiangsu where she lives.
"Together with some of my university students, I am trying to determine whether this herb is effective for improving blood circulation.
We have identified some active constituents (contained in this herb) but need to ascertain which is the best part," she told Daily Express.
Her research work entails studying the pharmacological mechanism (molecular in nature) of mai dong.
"We want to establish the effect of this herb on the endothelial cell (found in the endothelium which is a tissue consisting of a single layer of cells that lines the blood and lymph vessels and heart).
"If mai dong can protect these cells, then it is important for blood circulation and should be good for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases."
The ultimate aim, Dr Zhang said, is to develop new drugs with mai dong based on Chinese herbal formulae.
Earlier, in her paper on "Evidence-based Chinese Herbal Medicines", she said presently, China has 12,807 kinds of medicinal substances (including medicinal plants, animals and ores) with abundant resources.
Nationally, the herb plantation area has exceeded 18,000 hectares with 200 kinds of year-round planting herbs.
"It is not surprising that westerners come to China to study herbal medicine. We have a long history of traditional Chinese Medicine up to thousands of years.
"To date, herbal formulae collected and recorded are about 100,000. This is according to the book 'Dictionary of Chinese Formulae'," said Dr Zhang.
She said there are plans to publish a book on Malaysian and Chinese herbs since both countries are rich in medicinal plants.
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