Determining The Synergistic Effects Of Complementary Medicines On Pro-inflammatory Cytokines,
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,412.00
Summary
Diseases like influenza, commonly called ‘the flu’, produce symptoms such as fever, headaches, lethargy and lack of appetite. What most people don’t realise is that it is not the influenza virus that produces these symptoms, but the body’s immune response to the influenza virus. This immune response comes about because the influenza virus stimulates cells to produce molecules called cytokines, and cytokines have many effects in the body, including causing fever and a lack of appetite. In severe ....Diseases like influenza, commonly called ‘the flu’, produce symptoms such as fever, headaches, lethargy and lack of appetite. What most people don’t realise is that it is not the influenza virus that produces these symptoms, but the body’s immune response to the influenza virus. This immune response comes about because the influenza virus stimulates cells to produce molecules called cytokines, and cytokines have many effects in the body, including causing fever and a lack of appetite. In severe infections like those caused by the influenza virus responsible for the pandemic of 1918, and during “bird ‘flu” (H5N1) infections, people die because the immune response becomes overwhelming. Cytokines produced during these sorts of responses are actually very harmful, even though in small amounts they help to kill the virus and cure the infection. Researchers working in this field have likened these severe responses to a “cytokine storm”. This project focusses on finding alternative therapies such as those used in Chinese medicine to prevent a cytokine storm happening, so that if an influenza pandemic occurs these treatments could be quickly made available to everyone. Examples are the Chinese herbs Angelica sinensis and Salvia miltiorrhiza. Recent laboratory studies in New York have shown that both of these herbs have potent cytokine effects, decreasing levels of an inflammatory cytokine known to be associated with death in both malaria and sepsis. Our study aims to closely examine the effects of these Chinese herbs, as well as other commercially available herbal extracts, and traditional combinations of herbs, to find synergies between them that could be used to treat severe influenza infections.Read moreRead less
Clinical And Physiological Evaluation Of Chinese Herbal Medicine For Constipation Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$592,705.00
Summary
This innovative study examines the effectiveness, safety and mechanisms of action of a complex Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is the most common chronic medical disorder of the digestive tract with 10% prevalence in the Australian population. Characterised by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, it significantly affects quality of life and has major socioeconomic implications. IBS is increasingly recognized as a complex multi-factorial condition with ps ....This innovative study examines the effectiveness, safety and mechanisms of action of a complex Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is the most common chronic medical disorder of the digestive tract with 10% prevalence in the Australian population. Characterised by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, it significantly affects quality of life and has major socioeconomic implications. IBS is increasingly recognized as a complex multi-factorial condition with psychogenic, hormonal and immune components. It is poorly addressed by current pharmaceutical treatments. Medical treatment of IBS remains unsatisfactory, with incomplete benefits offered by a single drug approach. The multi-factorial nature of IBS renders it an ideal candidate for evaluation with a more complex mix of low dose agents offered by herbal medicine. Specifically, CHMs by their complex chemical nature have substantial potential in the treatment of IBS because of their range of physiological effects on both bowel function and the central nervous systems We will perform a clinical trial of 8 weeks to determine the effectiveness of a chemically standardised CHM preparation in 160 patients with constipation predominant IBS patients compared to an identical placebo (sham). This project builds on our previous studies that demonstrated an effectiveness of CHM for IBS superior to current interventions. We’ve validated methods to ensure chemical standardisation of herbal medicines; validated approaches to psychosocial assessment of cognitive and behavioural changes in IBS patients; and have validated physiological, mechanistic evaluation of the lower bowel in response to treatment. The significance of the current proposal lies in its ability to provide a standardised, multi-component CHM (8 herbs) for the comprehensive clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this type of therapy for IBS, and to provide insight into the relevant mechanisms of action. This project draws together the unique skills and previous studies from the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research (UWS), and the Gastrointestinal Investigation Unit of RNSH, USYD. This innovative project is medically important because it addresses a common gastrointestinal disorder with high socioeconomic implications for which conventional western medicine has failed to produce a cure or adequate palliative treatment.Read moreRead less
Interactions Between Herbal Medicines And The Anticoagulant Warfarin
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,250.00
Summary
Complementary medicines are used widely in our community. Products are advertised as safe despite the fact that many have never been systematically tested for either efficacy or safety. Little is known about the potential for herbal medicines to interact with conventional medicines which may lead to potentially serious consequences. Clinical reports suggest that there is potential for an interaction between warfarin and herbal medicines. Interactions with warfarin in patients receiving the drug ....Complementary medicines are used widely in our community. Products are advertised as safe despite the fact that many have never been systematically tested for either efficacy or safety. Little is known about the potential for herbal medicines to interact with conventional medicines which may lead to potentially serious consequences. Clinical reports suggest that there is potential for an interaction between warfarin and herbal medicines. Interactions with warfarin in patients receiving the drug as part of their therapy can be life threatening. Identifying and avoiding significant drug interactions with warfarin can reduce patient problems caused by excessive bleeding, reduce length of hospital stay and decrease the need for frequent blood monitoring. The present study design will also provide a valuable insight into possible interactions with other medicines by understanding the mechanism of possible herb-drug interactions.Read moreRead less
Kava For The Treatment Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A 16-Week Double-Blind RCT
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$680,489.00
Summary
Herbal medicines play a prominent role in traditional medicine to treat affective disorders (mood and anxiety disorders), however scientific studies are needed to truly assess their effectiveness. This clinical trial is examining the anxiolytic efficacy of Kava in treating chronic anxiety. As current response to antidepressant drugs can be inadequate, Kava may offer an additional affordable, safe, and effective option to reduce anxiety.
Analysis And Development Of Medicinal Herbs For The Prevention And Management Of Cardiovascular Disease
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,500.00
Summary
Although medicinal herbs are widely used in the community for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease, to date no systemic, effective methods are available to assess the physiological effects of these substances. This project will employ advanced bio-cellular and molecular technologies to develop (i) screening procedures, (ii) standardised chemical analyses and (iii) bioassays to allow efficient assessment of new herbal pharmaceuticals in relation to possible cardiovascular activ ....Although medicinal herbs are widely used in the community for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease, to date no systemic, effective methods are available to assess the physiological effects of these substances. This project will employ advanced bio-cellular and molecular technologies to develop (i) screening procedures, (ii) standardised chemical analyses and (iii) bioassays to allow efficient assessment of new herbal pharmaceuticals in relation to possible cardiovascular activities, side effects, purity and quality.Read moreRead less
Development Of 'omics-based Approaches To Investigate Labelling Accuracy And Legality Of Herbal Medicine In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$494,883.00
Summary
Herbal medicines such as tradition Chinese medicine (TCM) are popular across Australia, but little has been done to ensure they are accurately labeled, don’t contain adulterants and that ingredients are legal. Preliminary work suggests that TCM, even those approved by regulators, contain pharmaceuticals and illegal species. Our research will develop a new two-pronged DNA and toxicological auditing toolkit with the aim of providing accurate information on herbal medicines for sale in Australia.
Imagining histories of love: the making of textual worlds in Taiwan romance fiction. This project examines the crucial question of how romantic love is imagined in contemporary Chinese societies. It innovates by analyzing the images of love presented in Taiwan romance fiction, a major genre of unstudied texts that provides knowledge of the emotional worlds of tens of millions of people worldwide. Its novel methodology approaches romantic narratives as documents of a history of love, producing ne ....Imagining histories of love: the making of textual worlds in Taiwan romance fiction. This project examines the crucial question of how romantic love is imagined in contemporary Chinese societies. It innovates by analyzing the images of love presented in Taiwan romance fiction, a major genre of unstudied texts that provides knowledge of the emotional worlds of tens of millions of people worldwide. Its novel methodology approaches romantic narratives as documents of a history of love, producing new concepts of Taiwan and Chinese society and history in which love is envisioned as the central experience of human life. Major outcomes will be a substantial monograph, an edited volume and several scholarly articles.Read moreRead less