A plant used in traditional Chinese medicine is being investigated for medicinal compounds which may help treat cancer and liver disease.
Compounds in the root of the plant can kill human cancer cells but leave the healthy cells untouched.
Chinese herbs
Chinese medicines used to tone up the kidney may have an important role in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly.
An ancient Chinese remedy for Malaria has potential to treat a range of autoimmune conditions.
The discovery is being hailed an “exciting example” of the link between traditional herbal medicine and new approaches to disease treatment.
An ingredient of a Chinese herbal remedy made from the Indigo plant is being studied by scientists as a treatment for deadly brain tumours.
A widely used non-prescription drug used in China to prevent and treat cataracts has been given the support of the scientific community.