Beijing (CNS) -- Dr. Ferid Murad, an Albanian-American physician, pharmacologist and co-winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, told CNS on Wednesday that "traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) will benefit humankind one day in the future."
Since the 1980s the doctor has conducted research on TCM, which he believes helps adjust internal nitric oxide content and promotes blood circulation.
Dr. Murad established the theory that nitric oxide in the body acts as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system by making blood vessels dilate, and serves as an effective prevention against apoplexy and high blood pressure.
According to studies, cardiovascular disease has become the biggest killer in China, affecting over 27 million people. Annual deaths owing to this type of ailment amount to almost 3 million, 51% of all deaths related to illness.
Murad also pointed out that among the herbal medicines used in TCM, some are in fact useless, and that 30 to 40% of patients follow erroneous instructions from doctors and believe in the efficacy of all prescribed items.
The doctor plans to build a "Murad Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine" in China to extract nitric oxide from Chinese herbs and develop medicines with fewer side effects.
Speaking of the lack of Chinese talent in the 110-year history of the Nobel Prize, Dr. Murad attributed it to insufficient funding for science and technology development, a huge contrast to the U.S., which has won almost half of the prizes.
Despite that, China has improved a lot in recent decades, but "it's still far from enough when it comes to producing a Nobel laureate," said Murad.
