Distinguished Local Projects

  • Project Title: Chinese Medicine Research and Further Development

  • Principal Investigator:

    Professor Ping-Chung Leung
  • Funding Source:

    University Grants Committee – Areas of Excellence Scheme
  • Collaboration:

    HKUST, PolyU, CityU
  • Background:

    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.

  • Problem:

    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.

  • Innovation:

    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.

Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF)

Research projects - as Principal Investigators

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

Research projects - as Co-Investigators

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

Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF)

Research projects - as Principal Investigators

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

Research projects - as Co-Investigators

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

Health and Health Services Research Fund (HHSRF)

Research projects - as Principal Investigators

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

Others

Research projects - as Principal Investigators

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

Research projects - as Co-Investigators

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