In 2001, the project “Chinese Medicine Research and Further Development”, led by the Institute of Chinese Medicine of CUHK, was selected as an “Area of Excellence” by the University Grants Committee (UGC) and was awarded HK$25 million for research and development. This is a 5-year project targeting at areas where western medicine has no optimal solution, including viral infection, chronic disorder, degenerative disease, allergy and preventive therapy.
In 2007, the UGC has awarded a sustained funding for 3 years to the project for further development. Two priority projects on “diabetic foot ulcer” and “cardiovascular tonic” are to be further studied.
Researches on Chinese medicine as the alternative remedies complementary to conventional modern medicine have drawn increasing attention. Reports on anecdotal observations or pure laboratory-based studies on Chinese medicines are numerous.However, none of the studies has attempted to integrate the laboratory and clinical investigation of Chinese medicine. Example on objective evaluation of the therapeutical application of Chinese medicine remains lacking. To develop the Chinese medicine which is complex in nature into a modern science and art of healing, and to bring Chinese medicine into the international market, a comprehensive efficacy driven approach aiming at safety, quality control and objective proof of efficacy is necessary.
A unique three-prong efficacy-driven approach is adopted for the research on Chinese medicine as the alternative adjuvant remedies to difficult areas in clinical practice. The unique approach emphasizes on the objective clinical proof of efficacy, while in parallel, understanding the mechanisms of action, quality control and safe applications. A vast inter-institutional collaboration is thus established with the participation of clinicians, biologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, pharmacists and chemists. The project features the integration of laboratory investigation and evidence-based clinical trial leading to a remarkable example of an objective evaluation of the therapeutical application of the Chinese medicine.
| Principal Investigators | Project titles |
| Prof. CBS Lau | To develop an innovative multi-targeted herbal formula for the management of metabolic syndrome |
| Prof. PC Leung | Research and production of herbal agents for skin care |
| Prof. PC Leung | Using Chinese herbs to slow down renal failure |
| Prof. PC Shaw | Application of novel isothermal molecular authentication technique for on-site quality control of Chinese Medicinal Material |
| Prof. QB Han | An innovative quality control method of polysaccharide-rich herbal medicines using bioassay guided high-speed counter-current chromatography |
| Co-Investigators | Project titles |
| Prof. PC Leung | Innovative Diaper that Keeps off Moisture, Odour, and Allergy for the Elderly |
| Prof. PC Leung | Herbal Tonic to Improve Dementia |
| Prof. PC Leung Prof. CBS Lau |
To Develop Evidence-based Topical Preparations for Pain Relief and Swelling Control |
| Prof. PC Leung | A Nano Preparation for the Topical Treatment of Limb Injuries |
| Principal Investigators | Project titles |
| Dr. CH Ko | Investigation of the auxiliary effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma - containing herbal formula (DCXF) on topical mesenchymal stem cells application in traumatic brain injury rat model |
| Prof. PC Leung | A study of efficacy on the combination use of anti-osteoporosis drug with topical Chinese herbal paste on facilitation of fracture healing |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Is it safe to use estrogenic Chinese herbal medicines in breast cancer patients? - a preclinical evaluation |
| Prof. KP Fung | The combination use of cardiovascular drugs with Danshen-Gegen Decoction on hypertension, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis |
| Prof. KP Fung | Regulation of glucose balance in type II diabetes by combined action of low-magnitude high-frequency vibration and a Chinese herb: In vitro and in vivo study |
| Prof. KP Fung | Enhancing antibiotics efficacy by combinations of active ingredients from Traditional Chinese medicine against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus |
| Prof. KP Fung | Photodynamic therapy mediated by natural products on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected wound |
| Prof. PC Leung | Improving darifenacin-associated gastrointestinal adverse effects by isoflavone-rich Chinese herbal supplements in the treatment of detrusor overactivity |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Investigation of the protective effects of Herba Cistanche on statin-induced muscle toxicity |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Investigation of the inhibitory effects of metronomic zoledronate in combination with Coriolus versicolor in cancer propagation and bone metastasis in breast tumor rodent model |
| Prof. PC Leung | Herb-drug interaction of statin and Fructus Schisandrae on high-fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Evaluation of the efficacy of the combination of Turmeric and chemotherapeutics in colorectal cancer treatment – a preclinical study |
| Prof. PC Leung | Inhibitory role for Cortex Moutan and interactions with corticosteroid on human monocyte derived dendritic cells in atopic dermatitis |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Mechanistic studies on bakuchiol and macrocarpal C with regards to their anti-dermatophyte effects in vitro and tinea pedis-treating activities in vivo |
| Prof. PC Leung | A study on the pharmacological interactions between a Chinese herbal formula ELP and standard anti-resorptive drugs used to counteract osteoporosis |
| Co-Investigators | Project titles |
| Prof. KP Fung | Novel Treatment of Intermittent Claudication in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Using Danshen Gegen (D&G) Capsule |
| Prof. PC Leung | The translation of Gastrodia elata from laboratory to clinical practice: the study and treatment of epilepsy as a window to neuroscience |
| Prof. PC Leung Prof. CBS Lau |
Mast cells activities and osteoporosis - a novel research platform for the study of interaction of herbal and western anti-osteoporosis agents in human |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Investigation of the combined use of Andrographis paniculata and chemotherapeutics in the treatment of metastatic esophageal cancer – a preclinical study |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Preclinical study of neuroprotective effect of Gastrodia-Uncaria water extract and interaction with tissue plasminogen activator treatment on embolus induced cerebral ischemia |
| Prof. PC Leung Prof. KP Fung Prof. CBS Lau |
The clinical potential of Astragalus polysaccharide in cancer therapy via synergism with antitumor drugs |
| Prof. PC Leung
Prof. KP Fung Prof. CBS Lau |
Is it safe to take Danshen-Gegen product with Warfarin and Aspirin?- a pilot study in human subject |
| Prof. CBS Lau | The extract and bioactive component of Isodon eriocalyx: its use in monotherapy and in combination with gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Embryotoxicity studies of Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae extracts for skeletal malformation in mice |
| Principal Investigators | Project titles |
| Prof. KP Fung | Investigation on the synergists from vegetable Portulaca oleracea (馬齒莧) with macrolides against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and related mechanism |
| Prof. PC Leung | Evaluation of the pharmacological activities of health supplements derived from Chinese medicine in the amelioration of symptoms of allergic asthma |
| Principal Investigators | Project titles |
| Prof. PC Leung Prof. KP Fung |
RBG – Institute of Chinese Medicine – Support the Operation of the State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China (CUHK) |
|
Prof. CK Wong Prof. PC Leung Prof. KP Fung |
State Key Laboratory (SKL) Chinese Medicine sponsored by Focused Investments Scheme - Major Area of Biomedical Sciences |
| Prof. PC Leung | Partner State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China |
| Prof. PC Leung Prof. KP Fung |
The joint laboratory of molecules from traditional medicine with the Centre National de la Recherché Scientifique (CNRS) and the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Chimie de Paris (ENSCP) of France |
| Prof. PC Shaw | Study of DNA barcoding of the medicinal plants used in Chinese herbal tea (Phase 1) |
| Prof. QB Han | Investigation on the anti-tumor activities of active components of Rubinoboletus ballouii |
| Co-Investigators | Project titles |
| Prof. PC Leung
Prof. CBS Lau |
Nano-encapsulated Chinese herbal extracts as novel immunomodulators and enhancers of innate host defense in human gingiva |
| Prof. CBS Lau | Stereoselective syntheses of pseudo-glycosides as potential anti-diabetic agents |
| Prof. PC Leung
Prof. CBS Lau |
Application of embryonic stem cell test as safety test for commonly used Chinese medicines during pregnancy |
| Prof. KP Fung | Food Composition Database for Nutrition Labeling |