Traditional Chinese medicine may help prevent polycystic kidney disease
Daily India (www.dailyindia.com), 30 April 2007

A new study has found that a centuries old Chinese traditional medicine, Triptolide has the potential to stop cyst formation in polycystic kidney disease Triptolide is derived from a Chinese medicinal herb named Lei Gong Teng, which has been used in traditional medicine to treat cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases and, more recently, also has been tested in Phase I clinical trials as an anti-tumour agent. The research holds out promise for development of the first treatment for the disease other than kidney transplant or frequent dialysis. The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr. Craig Crews at Yale University.

Centuries-old Chinese medicine stops formation of cysts in polycystic kidney disease
Medical News Today (www.medicalnewstoday.com), 3 May 2007

Using a compound from a centuries-old TCM, Yale University researcher Dr. Craig Crews has been able to prevent the formation of kidney-destroying cysts in a mouse model of polycystic kidney disease. This holds out hope for what would be the first treatment, other than kidney transplant or frequent dialysis, for one of the most lethal of all kidney diseases worldwide. The compound, Triptolide is derived from a Chinese medicinal herb, named Lei Gong Teng, which has been used in traditional medicine to treat cancer, inflammation, and auto-immune diseases and, more recently, also has been tested in Phase I clinical trials as an anti-tumor agent. Dr. Crews described the functioning of the compound at Experimental Biology 2007 in Washington, DC.

Dr. David Molony is first american and non-Asian to earn World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies top honor
PR Newswire (http://sev.prnewswire.com), 8 May 2007

Dr. David Molony, 54, was honored at People's Hall, in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, for his accomplishments in advancing the science of TCM. Also honored were Professor Chen Keji of China, and Lin Tzi Chiang, of Australia. Each was awarded the Renji Cup for international contributions to TCM. Molony, the first American and non-Asian honored by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS), has been a mighty champion advancing Chinese medicine in the western world. In his career as Executive Director for the American Association of Alternative and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) for a decade, Molony wrote, promoted and helped enact state laws for the legalization of acupuncture and TCM in the US.

Shanghai pushes for traditional Chinese medicine
Shanghai Daily, 10 May 2007

All 228 city neighborhood health centers in Shanghai should provide TCM therapy within this year, officials from the Shanghai Health Bureau announced at this year's recent TCM work conference. To enhance service quality, authorities will train 200 general practitioners in TCM theories and techniques this year, officials said. The city will strengthen TCM study to prevent and control infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C and AIDS and enhance its capability in emergency treatment.

Deal on Chinese Muslim medicine
Daily Express News (www.dailyexpress.com.my), 11 May 2007

Malaysia has signed a deal with a China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to certify and market TCM to the world's Muslim consumer market. Under the deal, Malaysia's Halal Development Corporation (HDC) will certify as Halal traditional Chinese Muslim medicine manufactured by Ningxia's Muslim population of 2.1 million, and help with its promotion. Ningxia's vice governor, Liu Zhong, said the deal would enable the region's centuries-old traditional Chinese Muslim medicine practices and remedies to be marketed to both Muslims and non-Muslims world-wide.

Combining Chinese herbal medicine with anti-psychotics beneficial for schizophrenia
Medical News Today (www.medicalnewstoday.com), 18 May 2007

Combining traditional Chinese herbal medicine with Western antipsychotic medication is beneficial in the treatment of schizophrenia, a systematic review of randomised trials has found. The results tended to favour combination treatment compared with antipsychotic treatment alone. The researchers conclude that there is some evidence that Chinese herbal medicines, combined with anti-psychotics and given in a way that is not in keeping with their normal use within TCM, may be beneficial for people with schizophrenia. If these medicines are used within their usual context, which differentiates cases of schizophrenia into syndromes, the positive effects could be greater.

More success stories with TCM
The Straits Times (Singapore), 18 May 2007

TCM is now regularly practised alongside Western medicine at the Singapore Zoo and around 50 species has been helped. Antibiotics and antifungal medicines were administered to the grossly inflamed lips of a six-year-old python for a couple of years, but the swelling did not subside completely. After the snake was given a Chinese herbal remedy for less than three months, its lips returned to normal; in another example, a19-year-old female Asian elephant that was walking with a limp was treated with painkillers for about half a year but showed no significant improvement. Acupuncture therapy helped the elephant walk more naturally within four months.

Drug misuse kills 200,000 Chinese a year: doctors
Scientific American ((www.sciam.com), 21 May 200

About 200,000 people die in China each year from improper use of drugs, Chinese doctors and pharmacists said during a weekend meeting, and they called for greater efforts to educate consumers. Mainland Chinese rely more on traditional Chinese medicines than on Western drugs and they tend to use them carelessly because of a widespread misconception that traditional medicines are not toxic or have no side effects.

Growing interest in TCM spa therapy
The Business Times (Singapore), 26 May 2007

While China's spa industry is still just starting, TCM and Chinese treatments are being introduced at luxury spas around the region. Cupping, hot jade rocks, bamboo stick tapping, Chinese emperors' rituals and TCM doctors are often available. According to industry experts, China will drive, if not influence, spas around our region in years to come. At the recently opened Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, one can now take consultations with a TCM doctor followed by tuina massage, acupuncture and even bone-setting. This is reflected in many places throughout Asia. Last month, the annual Turning Point Spa Industry Seminar was held in China for the first time.

TCM support for wildlife
The Star (http://thestar.com.my), 29 May 2007

In a partnership that has surprised many, but one that is crucial for the survival of wildlife, TCM retailers in Singapore have teamed up with an animal welfare group to end sale of folk cures made from endangered species. In March, Singapore TCM Organisations Committee (STOC) and Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) launched the Endangered Species-Friendly TCM Labelling Scheme. TCM shops committed to not selling products derived from threatened wildlife will receive a label to be placed at their shop entrances, advertising their support to preserve tigers, rhinos and bears. Acres executive director Louis Ng says through the labels, the public can identify shops which do not sell endangered species products.

Compiled By:
Jennifer Eagleton, BA, MA (Asian Studies), Integrated Chinese Medicine Holdings Ltd.