Chinese medicine may combat avian flu effectively. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) scientists have discovered that xiasangju can prevent the virus.

The University yesterday signed an agreement with Guangzhou Xing Qun Pharmaceutical Company Ltd and sold the patent.

Xiasangju is a combination of three kinds of herbs: self-healing, mulberry leaves and chrysanthemum.

As traditional herbal tea, xiasangju is well-known for heat-relieving and detoxifying benefits for human body.

After refining the herbs into Chinese medicine, xiasangju can cure conditions like influenza, dizziness and sore throat.

In a recent discovery, the HKUST scientists found that using a new technology to extract oil-soluble ingredients from the herbal tea can effectively prevent avian flu and cure influenza type A and type B.

Announcing the findings yesterday, Karl Tsim, head of HKUST's Centre for Chinese Medicine R&D said the centre and Guangzhou Xing Qun Pharmaceutical Company Limited, manufacturer of the Chinese medicine, were developing a medicine that could prevent the growth of avian flu virus similar to Tamiflu, a drug to prevent and treat influenza.

He said they had started research for the curing effect of different Chinese medicines on avian flu during the SARS outbreak in 2003.

After discovering the prevention effect of xiasangju on avian flu, Tsim said the centre had applied for patent from the State Intellectual Property Office in 2005.

Tsim expressed hope that the mainland authorities would give the nod to produce the medicine in 2010 after conducting animal test and clinical trial.

Infectious disease expert Lo Wing-lok said in theory the Chinese medicine may prevent avian flu.

He noted clinical trials were required to confirm whether xiasangju could be really effective in preventing avian flu but there were not many cases of human avian flu.

He said Tamiflu costs about HK$300-400 for a treatment course.

(HK Edition 12/29/2007 page6)