Multiple Sclerosis Drug (Chinese)

Many in the West are now embracing ancient herbs derived from Asian medicine in an attempt to create a more holistic approach to managing their medical problems. In research published in the New England journal of Medicine, it appears than a new investigational medicine derived from a chemical produced by a fungus, that is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, may help those with multiple sclerosis or MS. MS is a medical condition that affects the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. In this condition, white blood cells attack the insulation that surrounds the nerves, causing problems with impulse conduction. This can cause blindness, weakness, the sensation of pins and needles, and difficulty walking and speaking. Fingolimod is a investigational drug that affects the immune system. It works by preventing white blood cells from leaving lymph nodes, thereby preventing them from reaching the nervous system and destroying the nervous tissue. Researchers randomized over 280 patients with MS to receive either fingolimod once a day or placebo. The medicine reduced the relapse rate by over 50%, reduced the number of lesions seen on MRI, and produced rapid reductions in clinical disease activity. The most frequent complaints were shortness of breath, upper respiratory infections, headache and gastrointestinal problems. Because this medicine affects white cell function, further studies will need to be conducted to determine if it increases susceptibility to infections. Overall, the results show that oral fingolimod may be a treatment option for relapsing multiple sclerosis. It is now being recommended that the medicine be evaluated in larger, long-term studies.