Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Diseases: Theories, Applications, and Mechanisms

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common and progressive disease that has become a major public health problem on a global scale. Renal fibrosis is a common feature in the pathogenesis of CKD, which is mainly related to the excessive accumulation and deposition of extracellular matrix caused by various inflammatory factors. No ideal treatment has yet been established. In recent years, based on the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory of CKD and its molecular mechanism, clinical evidence or experimental studies have confirmed that a variety of Chinese materia medica (CMM) and their effective components can delay the progress of CKD. TCM believes that the pathogenesis of CKD is the deficiency in the root and excess in the branch, and the deficiency and excess are always accompanied by the disease. The strategies of TCM in treating CKD are mainly based on invigorating Qi, tonifying the kidneys, promoting blood circulation, removing stasis, eliminating heat and dampness, removing turbidity, and eliminating edema, and these effects are multitargeted and multifunctional. This review attempts to summarize the theories and treatment strategies of TCM in the treatment of CKD and presents the efficacy and mechanisms of several CMMs supported by clinical evidence or experimental studies. In addition, the relationship between the macroscopic of TCM and the microscopic of modern medicine and the problems faced in further research were also discussed.

Protective effects and regulatory mechanisms of Shen-shuai-yi recipe on renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced mice

“…These 3 herbs were all essential and famous Chinese herbs used for thousands of years [ 14 ]. They had very comprehensive pharmacological effects of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-fibroblast cells in several animal models and may considered as the complementary therapeutic medicine for alleviating fibrosis [ [15] , [16] , [17] ].…”

A Novel Approach to Modelling a Diagnosis and Treatment of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine

“…As the pathogenesis is convinced, the prescription can be given by non-drugs such as herbs, acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustions, etc. [1,2,12,13]. We observe that the fuzzy systems in medicine using the max-min inference are simple and (often) give reasonable (acceptable) results, but the operation max (which composes contributions in max-min inference) is idempotent, i.e.…”

Mental fatigue mediates the relationship between qi deficiency and academic performance among fifth-grade students aged 10–13 years

“…For instance, qi-deficient children are more likely to get colds (due to qi deficiency in the lung) and indigestion (due to qi deficiency in the spleen and stomach). Qi deficiency in the kidney is regarded as the main cause of chronic kidney disease ( Wang et al, 2022 ). In CTM, qi supplementation is a commonly used method to cure emotional disorders caused by qi deficiency.…”