The therapeutic value of natural products derived from Chinese medicine—A systems based perspective
De An Guo, Rudolf Bauer, Nicola Robinson · European Journal of Integrative Medicine · 2014
The therapeutic value of natural products derived from Chinese medicine-A systems based perspectiveThe research and development pipeline for new drugs is a challenge and increasingly there is a focus on the potential of natural products as sources for new pharmaceuticals [1].Powerful analytical tools and technologies such as genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics and provide new opportunities to identify and characterise such products.The benefits of using 'omics' technologies help to ensure that robust ethno-botanical and ethno-medical studies in traditional medicines may help to provide inexpensive, accessible, safe and reliable new and improved medicines and treatments.However, modern natural product chemistry should not be detached from traditional practice, respecting the indigenous nature, use and availability of products.If the value of natural products is to be recognised, this needs to be optimised through multidisciplinary and international collaboration.Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine (GP-TCM) initiative http://project.gp-tcm.org/ was a European Coordination Action funded under the 7th framework programme.The overall aim of the project was to inform best practice and harmonise research on the quality, safety and efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in EU Member States using a functional genomics approach, facilitated through exchange of opinions, experience and expertise among scientists in Europe and China [1].Although the project ended in October 2012 with the publication of a special issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology [2], the GP-TCM consortium has continued to be a sustainable organisation by developing into the GP-TCM Research Association in order to further encourage these goals and by developing the Association to expand this European-Chinese network globally [3].Special interest groups have been set up for Quality Control, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Studies, Regulatory Affairs, and Acupuncture, which reflect the key areas initially considered in the initial project http://www.gp-tcm.org/work-packages/.These groups are active in proposing standard protocols for methodology, and prioritising areas for future research.TCM uses a unique theoretical system and has an individualised and holistic approach to describe health and disease, based on the philosophy of