Insights & Discussion
Chinese herbal medicines could alleviate chronic kidney disease symptoms by combating fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and encouraging repair and regeneration.
The study's methodology consisted of both clinical and experimental approaches. It started with an examination of an array of traditional Chinese herbs. The criteria for considered herbs were their clinical efficacy, frequency of use in treating chronic renal disease, and a well-studied mechanism of action. Five herbs, namely, Tanshinone II A, Salvianolic acid A & B, Triptolide, Tripterygium glycosides and a monomer from Kudzu root, made the cut after having met the set criteria.
The results showed that these Chinese herbs were found to possess pharmaceutical properties that were effective against fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, these also showed the potential to promote renal repair and regeneration, which are fundamental for treating chronic kidney disease. These findings suggest a broader scope of therapeutic treatments that could benefit the patients in a more natural and potentially less invasive way.
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Fermented Pueraria lobata root extract and Glycine max extract showed estrogen-like activities, reducing depressive symptoms in menopausal mice but not increasing female cancer risks.
2023 Journal of Functional Foods Effects of Pueraria lobata root and Glycine max (L.) Merrill extracts fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the depressive-like behavior in ovariectomized mice via upregulation of hippocampal BDNF Ha J, Jang HM, Choi I
Animal Study Bacillus Ge Gen Soybean
The researchers focused on Pueraria lobata roots and Glycine max (also known as soybeans) extracts, which are rich in isoflavones but often limited in practical use due to their high molecular weight and low bioavailability. The researchers chose to ferment these extracts with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains which are known to convert glycosides to aglycones, potentially enhancing the beneficial effects of the isoflavones. Specifically, the study was conducted using ovariectomized mice.
The research found that both fermented Pueraria lobata root extract and Glycine max extract exhibited estrogen-like activities. More intriguingly, the fermentation process increased the expression of estrogen receptor beta, suggesting that these extracts may not increase the risk of various female cancers—a common side effect of hormone replacement therapy—as was previously believed. Also, the ingestion of these extracts not only increased the estrogen receptor beta in the mice but also upregulated the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampal region of the brain, thus improving depressive symptoms. The highest expression was observed in the group given a mixture of both extracts.
Zhangyanming Tablets show potential as a protective agent for retinal function in early-stage, genetically-caused blindness in mice, possibly due to their antioxidant and anti-/pro-apoptotic properties.
2023 Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy Protective effect of ZYMT, a traditional Chinese patent medicine in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa Huang Z, Huang Q, Xu K, Liang L, Li Y, Zhou W, et al.
Experimental Study Dang Shen Ge Gen Goji Berry
Eighty mice with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) were divided into two groups, with one group receiving Zhangyanming Tablets (ZYMT) and a control group getting distilled water. After a period of 7 and 14 days, the researchers conducted tests through electroretinogram, fundus photography, and histological examination to assess the retinal function and structure of the subjects. They furthered the study using TUNEL, immunofluorescence and qPCR to evaluate cell apoptosis and the expressions of particular genes.
The ZYMT-treated mice displayed a notable enhancement in retinal reactions and overall preservation of retinal structure when compared to the control group. Particularly noticeable were increases in retinal thickness and cell count, alongside a significantly lowered rate of cell death. A comprehensive follow-up shows the altered expressions of several genes in the retina following the application of ZYMT. These results, combined, suggest a key role of ZYMT in mitigating the effects of RP especially in early stages.
Fructus Lycii and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract (FSE) shows potential as a clinical treatment for retinitis pigmentosa by inhibiting photoreceptor cell death following oxidative stress.
2023 Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy Fructus Lycii and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract attenuate oxidative stress-induced photoreceptor ferroptosis in retinitis pigmentosa Yang Y, Wang Y, Deng Y, Lu J, Xiao L, Li J, et al.
Experimental Study Dan Shen Retinitis Pigmentosa
The study utilized hydrogen peroxide to induce oxidative stress in 661 W cells, which were examined with flow cytometry and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The impact of this oxidative stress on the cells’ mitochondria was observed using an electron microscope to understand the nature of cell death. The study also analyzed the compensatory effect of the Fructus Lycii and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract on the retinal structure and function of rd10 mice using histopathological examination, fundus photographs, and electroretinography. Protein levels were evaluated using Western blot assays, specifically targeting proteins including Tumor Protein p53, Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 11, Glutathione peroxidase 4, Arachidonate-12-Lipoxygenase, and Dipeptidyl peptidase 4.
The results showed that hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in 661 W cells increased oxidative stress products and certain protein expressions, while decreasing others. Notably, the activation of Glutathione peroxidase 4 did not lessen reactive oxygen species generation and had little impact on cell death. The research discovered that both Ferrostatin-1 and the extract could lessen reactive oxygen species generation and inhibit cell death of photoreceptors in retinitis pigmentosa, achieving this by inhibiting the expression of one protein and increasing the expression of two others.
Various traditional Chinese medicine treatment strategies could potentially provide an effective alternative in slowing the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease.
2022 Frontiers in Pharmacology Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Diseases: Theories, Applications, and Mechanisms Yunlai Wang, Ye Feng, Manman Li, Mo Yang, Gaoxiang Shi, Zihua Xuan, et al.
Review Article Chronic Kidney Disease Dan Shen Dang Gui
The study explores the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and various Chinese materia medica (CMM) to manage Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The review delves deeper into the principles and treatment approaches of TCM in battling CKD, dictating that the disease's nature is deficient in the root and excessive in the branches, where deficiency and excess persist simultaneously throughout the condition. The main strategies employed by TCM in the treatment of CKD include invigorating Qi, tonifying kidneys, promoting blood circulation, removing stasis, eliminating heat and dampness, reducing turbidity, and controlling edema.
The discussion highlights the effectiveness of several CMMs in treating CKD, which are undergirded by clinical evidence or experimental studies. Notably, it points out a correlation between the macroscopic view of TCM and the microscopic view of modern medicine. These TCM and CMM strategies are hailed for their multi-targeted and multi-functional characteristics, potentially providing an effective alternative treatment approach for CKD.
Fructus Lycii and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract improve retinal morphology and function by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to curb oxidative reactions.
2021 Journal of Ethnopharmacology Fructus Lycii and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract alleviate retinitis pigmentosa through Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway Ou C, Jiang P, Tian Y, Yao Z, Yang Y, Peng J, et al.
Experimental Study Dan Shen Retinitis Pigmentosa
In terms of methodology, Fructus Lycii and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (FS) extracts were identified through Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis and administered intragastrically over four weeks to Rd10 mice, known to model retinitis pigmentosa. Following the animals' sacrifice, histopathological examination and Scotopic electroretinography analysis were performed. Oxidative stress markers were determined and the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA were evaluated via quantitative real-time PCR. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to identify the expression and distribution of Nrf2 and HO-1 protein.
In the discussion of the results, substantial morphological improvements were observed regarding the thickness and number of the Outer Nuclear Layer, along with significant functional enhancements in a-amplitude and b-wave amplitude measurements, following FS extract treatment. In addition, the treatment led to a considerable escalation in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels and a reduction in malondialdehyde levels. Furthermore, FS extract was found to stimulate the up-regulation of Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and protein expression, possibly underlying the observed retinal enhancements.
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