#Pharmacology

A new class of weight‑loss compounds targets a different brain pathway and has shown promising results in animal studies. The engineered molecule reduces appetite and improves insulin response without the nausea that often accompanies current drugs. Researchers identified a peptide called octadecaneuropeptide (ODN) produced by support cells in the hindbrain, then designed a drug-like derivative, tridecaneuropeptide (TDN). In obese mice and emesis-capable musk shrews, TDN reduced food intake and improved glucose handling without triggering sickness. The work highlights a potential path to obesity and diabetes therapies that may be easier for patients to tolerate and for health systems to deliver.

Cutting-edge research by scientific teams at Mount Sinai Hospital represents a fundamental breakthrough in understanding emotional regulation within the brain, potentially opening pathways to more precise, faster-acting psychiatric therapies for millions living with depression, anxiety, and related conditions throughout Thailand and globally. Recent study published in Science Advances reveals that a phospholipid fat molecule embedded deep within brain cell membranes acts as hidden regulatory partner to a vital mood-controlling receptor, providing unprecedented insights that could revolutionize mental health treatment approaches and offer new hope for patients who have not responded adequately to existing therapeutic options.

A cutting-edge discovery by research teams at Mount Sinai Hospital is rewriting what we know about how emotions are regulated in the brain, potentially pointing to new hope for millions living with depression, anxiety, and related conditions. A study published recently in Science Advances has found that a fat molecule called a phospholipid, deep within our brain cell membranes, acts as a hidden “co-pilot” to a vital mood-regulating receptor. This fundamental insight could pave the way for more precise, faster-acting psychiatric therapies—with implications for mental health care in Thailand and across the world (neurosciencenews.com).

Chandra Leela, a cornerstone of Thai traditional medicine, sits at the crossroads of history and science. Known in Thai as ยาจันทน์ลีลา, it appears in pharmacies as brown, pungent pills with gold script and is trusted by countless families for fever and flu-like symptoms. As interest in plant-based therapies grows, this ancient blend invites fresh examination from researchers and health professionals alike.

Historically, Chandra Leela has roots in royal medicine. The name evokes celestial calm—Chandra meaning moon and Leela meaning movement—reflecting a gentle healing philosophy. It is cited in Thailand’s National List of Essential Medicines, underscoring its role in public health. Traditionally, the remedy is used as an antipyretic to reduce high fevers, ease heart palpitations caused by heat, and soothe restlessness. In Thai households, it is often associated with care for children and the elderly, groups especially vulnerable to febrile illnesses.

In the realm of Thai traditional medicine, few remedies are as steeped in both mystery and reverence as ยาจันทน์ลีลา (Chandra Leela). Often found in pharmacies with gold script on bottles and issued as small, pungent brown pills, Chandra Leela has found its place in the medicine cabinets of countless Thai families. For centuries, this traditional herbal mixture has offered hope and relief, particularly for those afflicted with fever or flu-like symptoms. But what is the history behind this celebrated remedy, what are its true ingredients, and does science validate its claims? As Thailand and the world’s curiosity for plant-based therapies grows, Chandra Leela finds itself at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern investigation.

Millions of children in the United States are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the vast majority are prescribed stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall. However, a new wave of research reported by NPR and detailed in The New York Times Magazine raises pressing questions about the effectiveness and long-term consequences of these treatments, as well as the very nature of ADHD itself (NPR, 2025).

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed last year that more than 11% of American children had received an ADHD diagnosis—a record high, and a dramatic increase from the early 1990s figure of just 2 million. In 14-year-old boys, the rate soars to 21%. These statistics portray a nation deeply invested in identifying—and medicating—children with ADHD. But why are diagnoses rising, and are treatments truly serving those diagnosed?

A small shrub with thorny stems, Harrisonia perforata—known in Thai as Khon Tha, with local names like Kalantha and Kota—has long held a place in Thai healing traditions. This traditional plant is now attracting scientific interest as researchers explore its potential in modern medicine. For health-minded Thais, Khon Tha represents a bridge between ancestral knowledge and evidence-based care, underscoring the enduring value of traditional remedies when paired with rigorous science.

With its thorn-laced stems coiling through the forests of Southeast Asia, the Khon Tha plant—known to scientists as Harrisonia perforata—has been steeped in Thai healing traditions for centuries. Revered under many local names, including กะลันทา (Kalantha) and โกทา (Kota), Khon Tha’s story exemplifies the enduring power of traditional remedies—and the renewed scientific curiosity that is bringing age-old practice into the spotlight. As health-conscious Thais seek both ancestral wisdom and clinical evidence, the bridge between local herbal folklore and modern biomedical validation becomes more vital than ever.

Long pepper, known locally as Dipli, has long flavored Thai kitchens and traditional remedies. Today, regional research is validating some uses while flagging safety considerations. Harvested just before ripening from the Piper retrofractum vine, Dipli sits at the crossroads of heritage and science, inviting readers to explore its evolving story.

In Thai culture, health often centers on age-old plants and spices. Dipli holds a special place. The green fruit becomes a reddish spice when dried and carries many regional names that reflect its significance across the country. Dipli appears in Buddhist ceremonial mixtures and remains a common ingredient in northern and central folk remedies, as well as in certain curries and healing teas. Local knowledge has long credited Dipli with aiding digestion, soothing coughs, reducing fevers, easing asthma symptoms, and supporting conditions such as hypertension, rheumatism, and vitality. Contemporary references point to Dipli’s traditional uses in herbal preparations found in community clinics and markets.

For centuries, the slender, finger-like fruit known as ดีปลี (Dipli)—or long pepper to the wider world—has been valued in Thai kitchens and medicine cabinets alike. Revered for its spicy-hot kick and its potent medicinal reputation, Dipli has traveled the journey from sacred ritual and home remedy to the laboratory bench, where new research is validating some ancestral claims while raising important questions about its safety and efficacy. Today, this unassuming fruit—harvested just before ripening from the Piper retrofractum vine—stands at a crossroads between tradition and science, inviting curious minds and health enthusiasts to discover its story.

For centuries, the aromatic root of Angelica sinensis—known in Thailand as โกฐเชียง (got chiang) and widely as “Dong Quai” or “Tang Kuei”—has held a mystical place in traditional Asian medicine. Cherished in classic Chinese and Thai remedies for women’s health, this unassuming root is both steeped in cultural tradition and, increasingly, the subject of scientific scrutiny. Today, Dong Quai’s tale offers a fascinating lens through which Thai readers can see the interplay between ancient botanical knowledge, deep-rooted cultural beliefs, and the ever-evolving rigor of modern research.

Dong Quai, known in Thai as โกฐเชียง (got chiang), has long claimed a starring role in women’s health within traditional Asian medicine. Revered in Chinese and Thai healing practices, this root nourishes beliefs about vitality and balance. Today, Thai readers can follow a thoughtful journey—from ancestral knowledge to modern scientific scrutiny.

Thailand’s herbal market reflects centuries of cultural exchange. Dong Quai originated in the cool mountains of China and belongs to the Apiaceae family. Its southern diffusion has made it a familiar ingredient in Thai traditional formulas, where it is said to nourish the blood and support female cycles. It is often labeled as the “female ginseng” or “Queen of Herbs” in natural-health circles, highlighting its status in promoting menstrual well-being and postpartum recovery. In Thai communities, this herb appears in compound remedies and in popular practices that blend Chinese and Thai herbal wisdom.

To anyone familiar with the fragrant world of traditional Thai and Chinese herbal medicine, few roots embody such history and medical promise as kot kraduk (โกฐกระดูก), known scientifically as Aucklandia lappa DC. and in Chinese as mu xiang (木香). With its distinctive aromatic qualities, kot kraduk—once procured chiefly from trade routes stretching into the Himalayas—has been renowned for centuries across Asia as a mainstay of herbal prescriptions for digestive, pain, and inflammatory conditions. As scientific advances probe the truths behind ancient healing, kot kraduk emerges as a fascinating case where tradition and research meet.

Kot kraduk, or gok kraduk in Thai, is Aucklandia lappa DC, known in Chinese as mu xiang. This aromatic root has long been valued in traditional Thai and Chinese medicine for digestive comfort, pain relief, and inflammatory symptoms. Today, researchers are exploring how ancient knowledge aligns with modern science, offering a fascinating look at how herbal medicine evolves.

The plant’s story is deeply entwined with Thai culture. For generations, healers in Ayutthaya and across Bangkok and Chiang Mai have used dried kot kraduk as part of simple blends and complex formulas. It stands as a symbol of trust in natural remedies and a link between past and present. Modern studies from labs to early clinical trials are beginning to clarify why this “bone-like” root remains a staple in herbal pharmacopoeias.

Deeply embedded in the fragrant traditions of Asia, the camphor tree – known locally in Thailand as “การบูร” and scientifically as Cinnamomum camphora – has captivated generations with its distinctive aroma and remarkable healing properties. Revered as much in temple rituals as in household medicine chests, camphor (การบูร) bridges the world of ancient herbal wisdom and contemporary pharmacological research, serving as a vivid illustration of how tradition and science can intertwine for the benefit of health-conscious individuals today.

Camphor, known locally in Thailand as การบูร, sits at the crossroads of traditional wisdom and modern science. This aromatic resin has long warmed balms, guided temple rituals, and offered relief for everyday ailments. Today, researchers are unpacking its chemistry and evaluating its safety, relevance, and potential for Thai health practices in a global context.

In Thailand, the scent of camphor evokes comfort and memory. It is a staple in households for soothing muscle fatigue, easing coughs, and calming itching. Beyond the home, camphor’s role in religious ceremonies underscores its cultural significance as a purifying, protective substance. As new studies illuminate how camphor works at a molecular level, Thai readers can connect age-old remedies with contemporary safety and efficacy standards.