Dr. Daniel Mok, Dr. Sibao Chen and Dr.

Charmaine Tsang
Dept. of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology
 Dr. Mok Kam-wah, Daniel, ABCT
 Y822, daniel.mok@polyu.edu.hk

 Dr. Sibao Chen, ABCT

 Shenzhen base, sibao.chen@polyu.edu.hk

 Miss Yuen Chui Ying, Ailsa, ABCT

 Y801, ailsa.yuen@polyu.edu.hk
 http://www.shen-
nong.com/eng/front/index.html
(Sections on History and Basic Principles)
 Text Book: Chinese and Botanical
medicines – Traditional Uses and Modern
Scientific Approaches
Continuous Assessment 100%

Quiz 30%

Lecture and Tutorial Participation 10%

Plant Hunt 5%

Group Presentation 30%

Individual Report 25%

 Lecture: 12:30 – 14:20 (Wed)
Tutorial: 14:30 – 15:20 (Wed)
Daniel Mok (D), Sibao Chen (S) and Charmaine Tsang (C)

Wk Date Topic Tutorial

Introduction on
1 Sept 9 Course Introduction/ History (D)
TCM
Concepts on TCM
Safe or Not?:
2 16 theory/ Herbal
Knowing about herbs (D)
Identifications
Literature Search
TCM Theory (C)
3 23 and Grouping for
assessment
TCM Theory (C) Outline for Pres.
4 30
Topic (I)
TCM Theory (C) Outline for Pres.
5 Oct 7
Topic (II)
 Lecture: 12:30 – 14:20 (Wed)
Tutorial: 14:30 – 15:20 (Wed)
Daniel Mok (D), Sibao Chen (S) and Charmaine Tsang (C)

Wk Date Topic Tutorial

Modern Botanical/Drug Outline for Pres.
6 14
Development (D) Topic (III)
Drug from TCM: Artemisinin Outline for Pres.
7 21
(Prof. Larry Chow) Topic (VI)
8 28 TCM and COVID-19 (S) TCM around us
Consultation for
9 Nov 4 TCM Resources (S)
presentations
10 11 Quiz
11 18 Presentation Presentation

12 25 Presentation Presentation

13 Dec 2 Presentation Presentation

 Oral presentation in a group
 Powerpoint Submission to Blackboard: Before 18 Nov 2020
09:00am. One submission per group for presentation. No
resubmission.
 File Name: ABCT1D05-2020-Group.ppt/pdf
(e.g. ABCT1D05-2020-G01.ppt)
 Total is 25 min (15 min for presentation while 10 min for Q & A
section)
Percentage of marks (%)
Contents 40
Organization and 35
presentation skill
Q & A section 25
**Each group is requested to participate in Q & A section.
 Individual written report
 No more than 15 pages, double-space, Times New Roman,
font 12
 Not less than 1500 word count
 Include: Abstract, Introduction / Background, Content &
Discussion, Conclusion and Reference
 Essay refer to at least two journal paper.
 Don’t cite Wikipeida or other general website information.

Percentage of marks
(%)
Contents 60
Organization and Reference 30
Format (including correct 10
naming in report
submission)
 An Essay of minimum 1500 words, submitted to Blackboard
(Turnitin), before 18 Nov 2020 09:00. Resubmission is
allowed, but Turnitin takes 24 hrs to generate
similarity report.
 File Name: Group No-Student id.doc/pdf
(e.g, G01-12345678d.doc)
Plagiarism Policy
 If dishonest case is found, you will fail the subject.

Late Submission
 25% deduction submission after deadline,
50% deduction for submission one day after deadline
and
75% deduction for submission two days after deadline.
 Email us the essay if Blackboard or Turnitin
website is not available. Email submission will
not be accepted if the system is working
properly. Familiar yourselves with the
submission.
1. Surveys on visits to TCM practitioners in peer and family members
2. Surveys on visits to Herbal tea shops in peer and/or family members
3. Use of mineral CMM should be banned.
4. Use of mineral CMM should not be banned.
5. Chinese herbal medicine is only good for chronic diseases
6. Chinese herbal medicine works on emergency
7. TCM should integrate Western medicine.
8. TCM should not integrate with Western medicine
9. Use of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (土沉香) in TCM should be stopped.
10. Use of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum (土沉香) in TCM should not be stopped.
11. The high price tag of Cordyceps worth the value.
12. The high price tag of Cordyceps does not worth the value.
13. Chinese herbal medicine is good for cancer patients
14. Chinese herbal medicine is not good for cancer patients
15. Cupping should be considered as a doping in sports
16. Cupping should not be considered as a doping in sports
17. Other topics related TCM
 Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM)
 Ayurvedic Medicine
 Kampo Medicine
 African Traditional Healing Plants
 American Indian Traditional Medicine
 Herbal shop in Song Dynasty
in “Along the River During the
Drawing of TCM consultation in Qingming Festival (清明上河圖)”
Qing Dynasty
 Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is
based on Yin-Yangism

 Good health is believed to be achieved by

a balance between Yin and Yang.
 TCM's view of the body:
◦ little emphasis on anatomical structures,
◦ mainly concerned with the identification of
functional entities (which regulate digestion,
breathing, aging etc.).
◦ health is perceived as harmonious interaction of
these entities and the outside world,
◦ disease is interpreted as a dis-harmony in
interaction.
◦ TCM diagnosis consists in tracing symptoms to
patterns of an underlying dis-harmony, mainly
by palpating the pulse and inspecting the
tongue. [From the exterior to know the interior
(以外知內)]
 It is believed Yellow Emperor (or called
Huandi,黃帝) and Shennong (神農) were
the founder Chinese Medicine in ancient
mythical time, Yi Yin ( 伊 尹 ) in the
Shang Dynasty (~1600-1046 BC)
invented decoction (boiling of herbs to Yellow Emperor shennong
make herbal soup)

 During the Spring and Autumn period (~771-

476 BC), Yi He (醫和) was the first one who use
the six pathogenic factors to explain the cause of
disease; it was when the Huangdi’s inner classic
of medicine ( 黃 帝 內 經 , important Chinese
Medicine classics) written
Huangdi’s inner
classic of medicine
 in the Qin and Han Dynasty (~221BC-220AD)
was the boosting period of TCM theory, Recipes
for Fifty-Two Ailments (五十二病方, first written
record of herbal formula), Shennong’s Classic of
Medicinal Herbs (神農本草經), Treatise on Cold
Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Disease (傷寒雜病 Recipes for Fifty-
論) were composed at that period of time Two Ailments
in Mawangdui
 During Northern and Southern dynasties Tomb
(~420–589 AD), the TCM theory was developed
comprehensively with the publish of Pulse
Classic (Maijin, 脈 經 , the Classic book for
palpation), The AB Canon of Acupuncture and
Moxibustion (Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing，針炙甲乙經, the
first book for acupuncture and moxibustion)
and Master Lei‘s Discourse on Drug Processing
(Leigong Paozhi Lun, 雷 公 炮 炙 論 , the earliest
book for drug processing
 Tang Dynasty (~618-795AD) was the summary stage of
the previous development and the development of herbs.
King of Chinese Medicine, Sun Simiao (藥王孫思邈) wrote
the Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies
(Qianjin Yaofang, 千 金 要 方 ) and Supplement to the
Precious Prescriptions (Qianjin Yifang, 千 金 翼 方 ), an
important Chinese Medicine encyclopedia. The first
pharmacopeia, Newly Revised Materia Medica (Xinxiu
Bencao, 新修本草) as also completed at that time
 Song, Ming and Qing Dynasty (~960-1911)was the period
for new theory and further development on TCM practice.
The Compendium of Material Medica (Bencao Gangmu, 本
草綱目) was composed by Li Shizhen in Ming Dynasty.
 In 1950s practices modernized in the People's
Republic of China - to integrate many anatomical
and pathological notions with scientific medicine.

 However, many of its assumptions, (eg., the

model of the body, or concept of disease), not
supported by modern evidence-based medicine.

The incorporation of Chinese and

western medicine by
Zhang Xichun in early 20th century
 Greatly influence by the Greek and Roman Empire, like the
Hippocratic Oath by Hippocrates (He is also call father of
modern medicine) in about 300BC was the earliest record
of medical ethics and code of practice of medical doctors
which still being used today
 One of the first theory was Humorism. It
believing the human body made up of 4 fluids,
the black bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood.
Humorism believed having the origin in ancient
Egyptian medicine, later systemized by
Hippocrates around 400 BC and had its
influence until 19th century
 In the same era, Herophilos and his successor
Erasistratus, 2 Greek anatomist who started
anatomy researches. Starting then, the
structure of heart (knows about vein and
arteries), brain and nerves are known.
 In about ~50 to 70 AD, the Greek
pharmacologist wrote the Greek
encyclopedia, De Materia Medica, which
believe to be the model of modern
pharmacopeia
 During the Renaissance period (~1300-
1600 AD), more experiments on body Mandragora as
dissections enhance the knowledge of described in
De Materia
anatomy, with Vesalius works in 16th
Medica
century found the framework of skeletal,
muscular, vascular and circulatory systems,
nervous system etc. Paracelsus’s tria
prima theory was the pioneer on the
chemical drug
Paracelsus’s tria prima
(Salt, Mecury and Sulphur)
  The germ theory of disease was another important
theory of modern medicine. Proposed by the Italian
physician Girolamo Fracastoro in his book in 1546,
epidemic diseases were spread with direct or indirect
contact of “seed-like entities”. Until the discoveries of
bacteria by Anton van Leeuwenhoek in 17th century,
followed by many other works like Louis Pasteur and Robert
Koch in 19th century, the theory is currently an accepted
theory of disease caused by microorganism.
 In modern medicine, diagnosis and treatment had been
rapidly improved with the advances in science in the
development of anesthesia, diagnosis instruments and
pharmacology. The evolvement of Epidemiology
(systematic evidence-base analysis of the disease
distribution) greatly help on the prevention of disease in
modern medicine
 TCM Theory development New Theories
Mythical era
Summary stage
>3000 years ago
Treatise on Cold
Prescriptions
Huangdi’s Pathogenic and
Miscellaneous
Worth a
inner Thousand Gold
Disease
classic of for Emergencies ;
medicine Newly Revised
Materia Medica
Northern and Song, Ming and Qing
Tang
BC Southern
Dynasty Dynasty (~960-1911)
dynasties
(~618-795AD) Renaissance period
(~420–589 AD) (~1300- 1600 AD)

Vesalius and
Hippocrates Herophilos Paracelsus’s
discoveries of
(~400 BC) and work
bacteria in 1800’s
Erasistratus
Modern work on
germ theory of disease
Medicine anatomy

Humorism Theory
discovery of chemistry

Development and discovery of anatomy

 Historical Background
◦ In medical system
◦ Trading
 Regulation
 Education
 Development
 In HK in early 19thC, only Western medicine was
used by the rich and upper class people.
 TCM played an important role in primary health
care as local citizens relied on herbs or Chinese
Medicine doctors-> Tung Wah Hospital
established in 1872 in Sheung Wan
 After WWII, Western medicine became more
popular and mainstream in the medical system
 However, HK citizens still use TCM even though it
is not regulated by law
 The HK Gov’t did not impose any regulation or
include TCM in HK medical system until the Gov’t
began a TCM working group in 1989
 Now, TCM is one of the main medical systems
and regulated under Chinese Medicine Ordinance
(Cap. 549)
 Since 1999, Hospital Authority (HA) is tasked to set up one
Chinese Medicine Center for Training and Research
(CMCTRs) in each of the 18 districts.
 Aim: promote the development of “evidence-based” CM
practice through clinical research,
 integrate CM into the whole public health care system ->
modernization in TCM clinics
 Result: many more private clinics and clinical branches
have since opened
 TCM processing TCM manufacturers
Herbs wholesaler

TCM herbal stores

 Since HK opened up for trade in 19th C it has remained an
entry point for imported goods from mainland China and
export all over the world, including herbs ,
 Herb wholesalers are called “Nam Pak Hong” (南北行),
meaning transporting the goods (herbs/ food) from North
(mainland China) to/ from South (Southeast Asia)
 These traders mainly located in the reclaimed
area in Sheung Wan, like Bonham Strand
East/West, Ko Shing Street,Wing Lok Street
 They follow their own rules and regulations
 The wholesalers mainly trade valuable or
imported Chinese Materia Medica (CMM) ,
including ginseng, American ginseng, birds nest,
cervi cornu pantotrichum (deer's young antlers,
lu rong), Chinese cinnamon, Saffron, Calculus
bovis (Niuhuang) etc.
Many renowned TCM brand with long history are preserved
in Hong Kong, manly of them are manufacturers of
ointment or cough syrup

陳李濟藥店 (Chenliji, 400 years in Guangzhou)

京都念慈菴蜜煉川貝枇杷膏 (Kingto Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa start in
1900’s)
佛山李眾勝堂 (Li Chung Shing Tong in Foushan in 1896)
廣州潘高壽(Poon Gor Soe start in 1890)
廣州位元堂 (Waiyuen Tong start in 1897)

香港保心安藥廠 (Posumon Medicine in 1900’s)

 Due to mainland reforms of opening-up policy in
1980’s the role of HK as an entry port of CMM
declined -> change to entry port of proprietary
Chinese Medicine/ health products
 Large companies with brands of modern Chinese
Medicine appear
 Having herbal tea or turtle jelly is a common
practice to keep us healthy in Lingnam area like HK

 In the past, ready-to-serve herbal tea/ turtle jelly

was taken in small shops, each with their own
secret formula
 Now available through chain stores, bottled/
canned so that it could be serve at any time
 Not only in liquid form, but also in powered/
snacks
 More diversified
 Education at tertiary level of TCM began 1998
 The HK Baptist U. Began a Bachelor of Chinese Medicine
and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science and
the 1st Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in Chinese Medicine
 Later The U. of HK and CU also started a bachelor degree
course of Chinese Medicine

 But before that, TCM education was mainly by

apprenticeship, where the apprentice would be taught by a
master in a traditional TCM shop or by taking some TCM
courses offered by some TCM associations
 In 1999, the Gov’t passed the Chinese Medicine
Ordinance (Cap. 549), the first law in HK that
regulates TCM in HK
 The Chinese Medicine Council was established for
the purpose of implementing regulatory
measures for Chinese medicine practitioners and
Chinese medicines, this including:
◦ The licensing of CM practitioners (ensure their
professional practice, conduct and education)
◦ Proper use of Chinese herbal medicines
◦ Safety, quality and efficacy of proprietary Chinese
medicines
 In order to regulate Chinese herbal medicines and
proprietary Chinese medicines, the following license
is imposed. Everyone with a business in the
following field needs to apply:
1. retail of Chinese herbal medicines
2. wholesale of Chinese herbal medicines
3. wholesale of proprietary Chinese medicines
4. manufacture of proprietary Chinese medicines
 All CM practitioners are required to register and
pass the license examination before they can
practice TCM in HK
 Department of Health established “The Hong Kong Chinese
Materia Medica Standards (HKCMMS)” in 2002-> establish
the safety and quality standard of CMM
 Anticipated, by the end of 2014, monographs of 200 herbs
will be completed
 Each monograph contains specific information on a TCM
formula
 the following information on identification by
1. outer appearance, microscopic;
2. physical chemical test
e.g. Thin-layer chromatography,
3. Assay; safety test
e.g. heavy metal, aflatoxins, sulphur dioxide etc.
 With improvements in the technology and
industry, TCM industry in HK is NOT just focusing
on trade,
 Science collaborations together with tertiary
institutions and the Gov’t -> CM Hubs
 CM Hubs could include:
◦ Trading
◦ Testing and certification: to test and certify the
quality of the herbs or product
◦ New product development