The Role of Th17/Treg Axis in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention on Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: A Systematic Review
Xu YY, Wang DM, Liang HS, Liu ZH, Li JX, Wang MJ, Chen XM, Balak DMW, Radstake TRDJ, Huang RY, Lu CJ · The American Journal of Chinese Medicine · 2020 January
DOI 10.1142/S0192415X20500275
Objective
To perform a systematic literature review on the regulatory effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the imbalance of the Th17/Treg axis in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), and to investigate potential mechanisms through frequency analysis and network pharmacology.
Conclusions
Traditional Chinese medicine, particularly components like Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Paeonia obovate, Salvia digitaloides, and Angelica sinensis, shows promise in modulating the Th17/Treg axis in IMID through targeting key proteins such as TGF-beta receptors, ROR-gamma, TGFB2, IL-17, and IL-2. Active ingredients like Oxymatrine, Baicalin, Triptolide, and others play significant roles in immunological regulation on the Th17/Treg axis, suggesting TCM's potential as a therapeutic approach for IMID.
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Insights
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds potential to regulate immune-mediated inflammatory diseases by adjusting the imbalance of the Th17/Treg axis.
The researchers conducted a systematic review and analysis of literature on the impact of TCM on the Th17/Treg axis in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The study included documentation which reported changes in Th17 and Treg cells, their transcription factor and associated cytokines. Additionally, frequency analysis and network pharmacology were performed on TCM herbs collected from clinical trial data, focusing on the 39 most frequently used TCM prescriptions.
The results showed that TCM has the potential to rebalance the Th17/Treg axis, an important factor in controlling immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. The top five herbal components related to the treatment of such diseases were identified. Network pharmacology revealed six target proteins that could play a role in the regulatory effects of TCM on the Th17/Treg axis. Furthermore, nine active ingredients from TCM were reported to influence the Th17/Treg axis positively. This systematic review shed light on the pharmacological basis for the use of TCM in treating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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