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.
Discover Related Insights
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.
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.