Chinese scientists seek elusive 'recipe' for herbs and stem cells

An expert in infectious diseases from Shanghai has called for greater collaboration between the fields of Chinese herbal medicine and regenerative treatment, including stem cell therapy, to give China a niche in the Western-dominated field.

Dr Li Chen's previous research has involved putting herbal compounds into stem cells to test whether they can trigger cell changes, and finding an extract from Chinese herbs that is effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Chen, a professor at the Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, said he and his researchers would like to find a "special recipe" to keep cells at a certain stage. "Whether herbs can do that, we don't yet know," he told the Post when he was in Hong Kong last week for the AXA Assistance Medical Conference.

"If we have this kind of formula, and now we have the technology to evaluate the functions [of the herbs], there is a chance to re-evaluate the Asian formulas to see whether they work in cell therapy or not."

Regenerative medicine involves replacing or regenerating cells or tissues by stimulating the body's repair mechanisms.

While the technique is used in bone marrow transplants for cancer patients, studies are also under way on its application in curing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.