A plant used in Chinese medicine contains a compound which slows the growth of the germ which causes peptic ulcers, it has been found.
A team of researchers, led by Weimin Zhao from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, isolated 22 compounds from Dracaena cochinchinensis, a treelike plant, and found that two were effective in combating the ulcer bacterium Heliobacter pylori and eight others could be used as blood thinners.
While Dracaena is already used in China to treat stomach ailments, fractures and wounds, Mr Zhao has conceded that scientists still have a lot to learn about the plant.
"Many traditional Chinese medicines have been confirmed to possess various beneficial effects, but it is still not easy to understand thoroughly how they work," Mr Zhao said in an email message, according to the International Herald Tribune.
Mr Zhao has not suggested that Dracaena should be used as a substitute for modern medicine, although it could be used to complement existing treatments.
A plant used in Chinese medicine contains a compound which slows the growth of the germ which causes peptic ulcers, it has been found.
