Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history and there are so many prescriptions and applications. TCM has been familiar to people, for example, Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. (Gouteng in Chinese, 鉤藤) is a common herb used for the treatment of hypertension and Parkinson's disease.

Prof. Li Min from the School of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University and her research team found that Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. is very effective in treating Parkinson's disease, especially in improving the symptoms. Based on Prof Li's clinical experience as well as a large quantity of literature reports for this herb, her team studied its active ingredients and pharmacological effects. The main bioactive ingredients in Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. are Corynoxine B and Corynoxine. These two bioactive monomers are efficient in the removal of α-syn protein, which is the major cause of Parkinson's disease. Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. can induce autophagy in neural cells and thus promote the clearance of α-syn protein aggregates. This finding had never been reported nor discovered.

This novel research has patents filed in the U.S. They are continuing to research and screen the bioactive components in Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. Even though the mechanisms in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases are not the same, they shall modify different bioactive ingredients in order to enhance their pharmacological and bio-activities. A new drug for Parkinson's disease can then be developed by combining different bioactive ingredients of traditional Chinese herbs. In the near future, we believe an effective, safe and new Chinese medical formulation will be introduced to help the patients and their families.