NUS breakthrough in use of Chinese herbs for HRT


http://asia.news.yahoo.com/030929/5/singapore50098.html


Women who need hormone replacement therapy but are worried about
possible harmful effects like stroke and breast cancer, can in
future turn to a Chinese herbal alternative.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore have made a
breakthrough and are working with Johns Hopkins University and drug
company Eli Lilly to turn their discovery into a pill.

After screening dozens of Chinese herbs, the NUS researchers have
found those that contain compounds which activate the good form of
estrogen.

The researchers isolated the compounds and with a sensor, analysed
their structures and properties.

Scientists recently discovered two opposing forms of estrogen
receptors.

The A form is believed to be responsible for triggering breast
cancer, heart disease and strokes.

The B form - the protective form - has anti-aging effects on bone,
breast and heart health.

"We went to isolate the compound and hey presto! we have a novel
compound not described in science before, that can activate the B
form of the receptor," said principal investigator Associate
Professor Yong Eu Leong of the NUS Medical Faculty.

"So that's in the patent process and hopefully this can develop into
a drug."

The researchers have filed for four patents and are likely to file
for more.

The team recently won a US$250,000 research grant from the US
National Institutes of Health, and hopes to receive another US$5
million.

Professor Yong believes Singapore can become a centre for herbal
drug discoveries and act as a bridge between Western and Chinese
medicine.

"Our colleagues in China although they have the chemistry they do
not have the regulatory framework for clinical trials; and their
science may not be so strong and their clinical set-up may not be so
accepted by the regulatory authorities in Europe or the United
States," Prof Yong said.

The lab is now working with Johns Hopkins to further test and
develop their discovery, before drug companies can turn it into a
pill which may make it to pharmacies within the next two to three
years.