Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Chinese Herbal Medicines: Links between Traditional Characters and the Skin Lipoperoxidation “Western” Model

Abstract

The relationship between lipid peroxidation and inflammation has been accepted as a paradigm in the field of topical inflammation. The underlying biochemical mechanisms may be summarised as unspecific oxidative damage followed by specific oxidative processes as the physio pathological response in skin tissues. In this experimental review we hypothesise that the characteristics attributed by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to herbal drugs can be linked to their biomolecular activities within the framework of the above paradigm. To this end, we review and collect experimental data from several TCM herbal drugs to create 2D-3D pharmacological and biochemical spaces that are further reduced to a bidimensional combined space. When multivariate analysis is applied to the latter, it unveils a series of links between TCM herbal characters and the skin lipoperoxidation “Western” model. With the help of these patterns and a focused review on their chemical, pharmacological and antioxidant properties we show that cleansing herbs of bitter and cold nature acting through removal of toxins—including P. amurense, Coptis chinensis, S. baicalensis and F. suspensa—are highly correlated with strong inhibition of both lipid peroxidation and eicosanoids production. Sweet drugs—such as A. membranaceus, A. sinensis and P. cocos—act through a specific inhibition of the eicosanoids production. The therapeutic value of the remaining drugs—with low antioxidant or anti-inflammatory activity—seems to be based on their actions on the Qi with the exception of furanocoumarin containing herbs—A. dahurica and A. pubescens—which “expel wind”. A further observation from our results is that the drugs present in the highly active “Cleansing herbs” cluster are commonly used and may be interchangeable. Our work may pave the way to a translation between two medical systems with radically different philosophies and help the prioritisation of active ingredients with specific biomolecular activities of interest for the treatment of skin conditions.

Delayed Reaction of Radiation on the Central Nervous System and Bone System in C57BL/6J Mice

“…Studies have shown that Lycium barbarum extract has a neuroprotective effect on radiation-induced neurobehavioral changes such as cognitive impairment and depression [ 62 ]. From the point of view of antioxidation, many TCMs may play a better role, such as Cistanche deserticola and Houttuynia cordata [ 63 , 64 ]. In the future, the long-term anti-radiation effect of TCM can be studied using this model.…”

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“…Many studies reveal that using walnut shell WS is an excellent alternative and attractive material for removing carcinogenic compounds by adsorption due to affordability and high efficiency [10][11][12]. It can also be used as an antioxidant and antimicrobial compound, which has gained considerable attention in medical applications, especially, for treating inflamed skin, ulcers, and hyperhidrosis [13,14]. Producing adsorbents through the transformation of waste material has helped obtain the useful product for industrial and scientific research [4].…”

Fermented Chinese Herbs Improve the Growth and Immunity of Growing Pigs through Regulating Colon Microbiota and Metabolites

“…As an important component of traditional Chinese medicine, many Chinese herbal formulas with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and digestion-promoting functions have been developed [13][14][15][16][17][18]. For instance, traditional Chinese medicine theory suggests that Radix Astragali has anti-inflammatory effects [16], and four phenolic derivatives isolated from Radix Astragali exhibit potent inhibitory effects on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production and TNF-α, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression at 50 µM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages [19]. The essential oil from Artemisia argyi inhibits inflammation through the down-regulation of JAK/STAT signaling in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells [20].…”