New evidence has been released finding Goteng, a Chinese herb, has healing effects on Parkinson’s Disease patients. The study is strong, and this new evidence could potentially lead to safer and more effective treatments for Parkinson’s Disease. The research team is currently looking for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease who want to participate in future studies.

A pilot clinical study in Hong Kong has found the Chinese herbal medicine Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng), or prescriptions containing Gouteng, to be effective in treating Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers at the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) School of Chinese Medicine, led by Associate Professor Dr. Li Min, have applied for a US patent for this research result, and will soon start the second phase of the clinical study with a US $70,000 research grant from the Food and Health Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government.

The researchers identified an active compound Isorhynchophylline (IsoRhy) in the Chinese herb Uncaria rhynchophylla as a potential neuronal autophagy inducer which promoted the clearance of the pathogenic protein alpha-synuclein in the neurons of Parkinson's patients. This unique property of IsoRhy could contribute to the therapeutic action of Uncaria rhynchophylla.

From 2007 to 2009, researchers observed the therapeutic efficacy on 47 patients aged from 50 to 74 years old, who had been suffering from the disease for 18 months to 11 years, and who had been taking the same type of Western medicine. The study revealed that patients who had received the Chinese medicine treatment showed improved communication skills and reduced non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, constipation and poor appetite. In addition, no obvious side effects were found in both groups during the study period.

The department has already begun inviting Parkinson’s disease patients aged between 18 and 80 to participate in a 40-week, second phase clinical research trial.

Read the entire article at AsianScientist.com