scholarly journals Therapeutic Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Bioactive Compounds Against Respiratory Diseases: Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory and High-Frequency Use

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Qibiao Wu ◽  
Lu Ding ◽  
Siyu Song ◽  
Yaxin Li ◽  
...  

Respiratory diseases, especially the pandemic of respiratory infectious diseases and refractory chronic lung diseases, remain a key clinical issue and research hot spot due to their high prevalence rates and poor prognosis. In this review, we aimed to summarize the recent advances in the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of key common bioactive compounds from Chinese herbal medicine. Based on the theories of traditional Chinese medicine related to lung diseases, we searched several electronic databases to determine the high-frequency Chinese medicines in clinical application. The active compounds and metabolites from the selected medicines were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) by analyzing oral bioavailability and drug similarity index. Then, the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of the selected bioactive compounds in the viral and bacterial infections, inflammation, acute lung injury (ALI), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and lung cancer were summarized. We found that 31 bioactive compounds from the selected 10 common Chinese herbs, such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), kaempferol, isorhamnetin, quercetin, and β-sitosterol, can mainly regulate NF-κB, Nrf2/HO-1, NLRP3, TGF-β/Smad, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways to inhibit infection, inflammation, extracellular matrix deposition, and tumor growth in a series of lung-related diseases. This review provides novel perspectives on the preclinical study and clinical application of Chinese herbal medicines and their bioactive compounds against respiratory diseases.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aihua Zhang ◽  
Hui Sun ◽  
Shi Qiu ◽  
Xijun Wang

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula has been playing a very important role in health protection and disease control for thousands of years. Guided by TCM syndrome theories, formula are designed to contain a combination of various kinds of crude drugs that, when combined, will achieve synergistic efficacy. However, the precise mechanism of synergistic action remains poorly understood. One example is a famous TCM formula Yinchenhao Tang (YCHT), whose efficacy in treating hepatic injury (HI) and Jaundice syndrome, has recently been well established as a case study. We also conducted a systematic analysis of synergistic effects of the principal compound using biochemistry, pharmacokinetics and systems biology, to explore the key molecular mechanisms. We had found that the three component (6,7-dimethylesculetin (D), geniposide (G), and rhein (R)) combination exerts a more robust synergistic effect than any one or two of the three individual compounds by hitting multiple targets. They can regulate molecular networks through activating both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways to synergistically cause intensified therapeutic effects. This paper provides an overview of the recent and potential developments of chemical fingerprinting coupled with systems biology advancing drug discovery towards more agile development of targeted combination therapies for the YCHT.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao-Hua Lan ◽  
Lu-Lu Zhang ◽  
Yong-Hua Wang ◽  
Huan-Lin Wu ◽  
Dan-Ping Xu

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been recognized as first killer of human health. The underlying mechanisms of CVDs are extremely complicated and not fully revealed, leading to a challenge for CVDs treatment in modern medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characterized by multiple compounds and targets has shown its marked effects on CVDs therapy. However, system-level understanding of the molecular mechanisms is still ambiguous. In this study, a system pharmacology approach was developed to reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms of a clinically effective herb formula (Wen-Dan Decoction) in treating CVDs. 127 potential active compounds and their corresponding 283 direct targets were identified in Wen-Dan Decoction. The networks among active compounds, targets, and diseases were built to reveal the pharmacological mechanisms of Wen-Dan Decoction. A “CVDs pathway” consisted of several regulatory modules participating in therapeutic effects of Wen-Dan Decoction in CVDs. All the data demonstrates that Wen-Dan Decoction has multiscale beneficial activity in CVDs treatment, which provides a new way for uncovering the molecular mechanisms and new evidence for clinical application of Wen-Dan Decoction in cardiovascular disease.


2019 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 207-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu Zhang ◽  
Shiqing Zhang ◽  
Cathy Nga-Ping Lui ◽  
Peili Zhu ◽  
Zhang Zhang ◽  
...  

The prevalence of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), has been dramatically increasing, particularly in the aging population. However, the currently available therapies merely alleviate the symptoms of these diseases and are unable to retard disease progression significantly. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in clinical practice for thousands of years for ameliorating symptoms or interfering with the pathogenesis of aging- associated diseases. Modern pharmacological studies have proved that TCM imparts disease-modifying therapeutic effects against these diseases, such as protection of neurons, clearance of protein aggregates, and regulation of neuroinflammation. This review summarizes the evidence from recent studies on AD and PD therapies regarding the neuroprotective activities and molecular mechanisms of a series of TCM formulations comprising herbs and their active ingredients. The findings of this review support the use of TCM as an alternative source of therapy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Qin Wang ◽  
Xin-Rong Zou ◽  
Yuan Clare Zhang

Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine have evolved on distinct philosophical foundations and reasoning methods, an increasing body of scientific data has begun to reveal commonalities. Emerging scientific evidence has confirmed the validity and identified the molecular mechanisms of many ancient TCM theories. One example is the concept of “Kidneys Govern Bones.” Here we discuss the molecular mechanisms supporting this theory and its potential significance in treating complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus. Two signaling pathways essential for calcium-phosphate metabolism can mediate the effect of kidneys in bone homeostasis, one requiring renal production of bioactive vitamin D and the other involving an endocrine axis based on kidney-expressed Klotho and bone-secreted fibroblast growth factor 23. Disruption of either pathway can lead to calcium-phosphate imbalance and vascular calcification, accelerating metabolic bone disorder. Chinese herbal medicine is an adjunct therapy widely used for treating CKD and diabetes. Our results demonstrate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of a Chinese herbal formulation, Shen-An extracts, in diabetic nephropathy and renal osteodystrophy. We believe that the smart combination of Eastern and Western concepts holds great promise for inspiring new ideas and therapies for preventing and treating complications of CKD and diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Luo ◽  
Ming Yang ◽  
Qiao-ling Tang ◽  
Xiao-yang Hu ◽  
Merlin L. Willcox ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in January 2020, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been fully and deeply involved in the treatment of COVID-19 in China. An increasing number of clinical trials has been registered to evaluate the effects of TCM in the prevention and therapeutic management of COVID-19.Objective: This study aims to review the existing TCM registered trials, identify promising and available TCM therapies, in order to provide reference for the global management of COVID-19. Methods: All clinical trials on TCM for COVID-19 registered in eight registry platforms worldwide were searched up to May 14, 2020. The data of registration trend, design, objective, interventions, current status, and relevant information were reviewed and summarized. Supportive information on the progress, results and potential value of the included registered trials were searched and reviewed from databases and official websites. Results: 161 TCM trials registered in three registries from January 26 to May 14 were included. 94 (58.4%) were randomized controlled trials, followed by controlled clinical trials (25, 15.5%), single-arm clinical studies (18, 11.2%) and others (24, 14.9%). 114 trials (70.8%) assessed therapeutic effects; while the remaining were for prevention, rehabilitation, and TCM syndrome epidemiology. The three most evaluated TCM interventions were Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in the preparation forms of formulae decoction/granule (41.7%), Chinese patent medicine (24.8%) and Chinese herbal-derived injections (8.1%). The common outcomes in therapeutic trials were symptoms and signs (65.8%), time to viral clearance on PCR (50.9%), and improvement in CT images (43.9%). 78 trials (48.4%) had started recruiting and six trials (3.7%) had completed recruiting. Among the TCM interventions identified from the registered trials, the following are worthy of attention and may have the potential feasibility of being evaluated and then used worldwide due to their rigorous design, previous evidence and availability: for prevention in high-risk populations or suspected cases, moxibustion, Huoxiang Zhengqi pill and Jinye Baidu granule could be considered; for treatment, Qingfei Paidu decoction or granules in mild, moderate and severe cases, Huashi Baidu decoction, Lianhua Qingwen caplsule, Toujie Quwen granule and Xiyanping injection in mild and moderate cases, and Xuebijing injection in severe cases could be considered. For rehabilitation of cured patients, the effect of Tai Chi and Liuzijue on the patients’ lung function and quality of life deserves attention.Conclusion: A series of promising potentially effective TCM interventions including CHM formulae, Chinese patent medicines, herbal-derived injections and non-drug therapies have been identified in clinical practice and are being evaluated by registered clinical trials. Available and applicable interventions within relevant trials are worthy of worldwide attention and application, in order to contribute to the global management of COVID-19 epidemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Chun Zhu ◽  
Bo Liang ◽  
Ning Gu

Ventricular remodeling is related to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, immune system, and various cytokines involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and cell signal regulation. Accumulated studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can significantly inhibit the process of ventricular remodeling, which may be related to the mechanism mentioned above. Here, we conducted a system overview to critically review the cellular and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine on ventricular remodeling. We mainly searched PubMed for basic research about the anti-ventricular remodeling of traditional Chinese medicine in 5 recent years, and then objectively summarized these researches. We included more than 25 kinds of Chinese herbal medicines including Qi-Li-Qian-Xin, Qi-Shen-Yi-Qi Pill, Xin-Ji-Er-Kang Formula, and Yi-Qi-Wen-Yang Decoction, and found that they can inhibit ventricular remodeling effectively through multi-components and multi-action targets, which are promoting the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Yue Lan ◽  
Bin Zhao ◽  
Yu-Li Shen ◽  
Xiao-Qin Li ◽  
Su-Juan Wang ◽  
...  

Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng (M. cochinchinensis) is a deciduous vine that grows in Southeast Asia. It is known as gac in Vietnam and as Red Melon in English. Gac is reputed to be extremely benificial for health and has been widely used as food and folk medicine in Southeast Asia. In China, the seed of M. cochinchinensis (Chinese name: Mu biezi) is used as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of various diseases. More than 60 chemical constituents have been isolated from M. cochinchinensis. Modern pharmacological studies and clinical practice demonstrate that some chemical constituents of M. cochinchinensis possess wide pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, etc. This paper reviews the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicity, and clinical application of M. cochinchinensis, aiming to bring new insights into further research and application of this ancient herb.


RSC Advances ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 3716-3725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Jin ◽  
Ji-da Zhang ◽  
Xin Wu ◽  
Gang Cao

Wenjinghuoluo (WJHL) prescription, the typical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment compound in traditional Chinese medicine, shows favorable efficacy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Baojin Yao ◽  
Bocheng Lu ◽  
Mei Zhang ◽  
Hongwei Gao ◽  
Xiangyang Leng ◽  
...  

Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the oldest medical systems in the world and has its unique principles and theories in the prevention and treatment of human diseases, which are achieved through the interactions of different types of materia medica in the form of Chinese medicinal formulations. GZZSZTW, a classical and effective Chinese medicinal formulation, was designed and created by professor Bailing Liu who is the only national medical master professor in the clinical research field of traditional Chinese medicine and skeletal diseases. GZZSZTW has been widely used in clinical settings for several decades for the treatment of joint diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still largely unknown. In the present study, we performed quantitative proteomic analysis to investigate the effects of GZZSZTW on mouse primary chondrocytes using state-of-the-art iTRAQ technology. We demonstrated that the Chinese medicinal formulation GZZSZTW modulates chondrocyte structure, dynamics, and metabolism by controlling multiple functional proteins that are involved in the cellular processes of DNA replication and transcription, protein synthesis and degradation, cytoskeleton dynamics, and signal transduction. Thus, this study has expanded the current knowledge of the molecular mechanism of GZZSZTW treatment on chondrocytes. It has also shed new light on possible strategies to further prevent and treat cartilage-related diseases using traditional Chinese medicinal formulations.


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