UM-developed herbal pain patch hits local pharmacies

A research team from the University of Macau (UM), led by Professor He Chengwei from the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and the State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine (SKL-MQCM), has launched the “Macao Yat-Tiu-Gan” herbal patch, now available in pharmacies across Macau.

Developed in collaboration with Macaufacture Medical Supplies Limited, the patch contains extracts of Glycine tabacina, a folk medicinal herb native to Fujian and Taiwan. Its development was guided by the team’s research into the herb’s active components, pharmacological effects, and mechanisms.

The patch targets joint and muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and legs caused by prolonged sitting or physical activity. It provides a safe, effective, and convenient topical Chinese medicine solution.

As cited in a statement, Professor He described the project as a strong example of industry-academia collaboration, combining UM’s research capabilities with the company’s manufacturing expertise. He added that the team plans to develop more health products based on unique medicinal herbs to expand the global reach of Macau-made Chinese medicine brands.

The project received funding from the Industrial Transformation Special Project of SKL-MQCM and the Industry-University-Research Partnership Scheme of the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund. Ricaela Diputado