Ed Lui
Associate Professor
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PH.D. Dalhousie University |
I am a member of the Expert Advisory Committee on Complementary Medicine of the Therapeutic Products Programme of Health Canada. This committee provides advice on scientific questions of benefit and risk management with respect to the use of complementary medicines by Canadians.
Inflammatory joint diseases:
Cell culture system of cartilage cells is being established to model degenerative joint diseases and to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of natural health products. For this, various biochemical and molecular markers are being investigated. This project is carried out in collaboration with the Equine Research Centre at Guelph and members of the Skeletal Biology Group at UWO.
Interaction between antineoplastic agents and Chinese herbal medicines:
The clinical usefulness of some anti-cancer drugs is limited by their induction of organ toxicity and immunosuppression. We are investigating whether or not administration of selected Chinese herbs with organ tonifying and anticarcinogenic properties could reduce the toxic side effects and enhance the efficacy of conventional antineoplastic agents. This study is carried out in collaboration with the BC's Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health.
Mechanism of action of selected Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Studies are carried out to study the mechanism of action of Tripterygium Wilfordii, a Chinese herb that is used clinically to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and is known to possess anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties.
Regulation of the expression of nitric oxice synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 by this herb is studied to elucidate the biochemical and molecular mechanism(s) involved. HPLC and bioassay techniques are used to isolate and characterize herbal components with high pharmacological activity and low toxicity.
Oxidant stress:
I have been studying the antioxidative activity of herbal preparations. Currently there is evidence to suggest the involvement of reactive oxygen species in various diseases(e.g. cancer, oesto- and rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, malaria, ischemia-reperfusion injury , diabetes mellitus), mediation of drug/chemical toxicity, and in ageing. Some of these diseases are known to be treated effectively with traditional Chinese herbal preparations; however, the concept of oxidative stress is relatively foreign to the fundamentals and principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is, therefore, important to study the relationship between the therapeutic effect and antioxidative activity of these herbal preparations.
Di Shao, William Dunlop, Mark A. Bernards and Edmund MK Lui (2007 in press). Immuno-stimulatory and anti-inflammatory polysaccharides from Tripterygium wilfordii: Comparison with organic extracts. Pharmaceutical Biology. Zach Suntres and EMK Lui (2006). Antioxidant effect of zinc and zinc-metallothionein in the acute cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells.Chemico-Biological Interactions.162: 11-23. Zach Suntres and EMK Lui (2006). Peroxidative effect of copper-metallothionein in the acute cytotoxicity of hydrogen peroxide in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Toxicology. 217: 155-68. Lui, E.M.K. (2000). Silybum marianum (milk thistle) in "Herbs: Everyday reference for Health Professionals". Can Pharmacists Assoc and Can Medical Assoc. P.158-161. Lui, E.M.K. Suzuki, C.A.M. and Bend, J.R. (2000) Toxicology Information Resources - Canada. In "Information Resources in Toxicology" Wexler,P.ed. Third edition. Elsevier, p. 583-598.
