Traditional Chinese medicine targets on hepatic stellate cells for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis: A mechanistic review

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis is a leading cause of death from liver-related diseases accompanied by a variety of complications; however, hepatic fibrosis, an inevitable stage of cirrhosis, is possible to be reversed and cured. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary cells that secrete extracellular matrix in the liver and play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. Effective therapeutic approaches for reversing hepatic fibrosis aim at inhibiting the activation of HSCs and inducing their inactivation or death. This review highlights the mechanism by which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulates the activity of HSCs and exerts antifibrotic effects, providing insights and prospects for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis with TCM.

Stories behind the cover

“…Traditional Chinese medicine has a long and rich tradition of treating liver diseases with its distinctive philosophy and clinical methods, dating back to more than 2000 years ago 6 . As illustrated in the cover story of the fourth issue, the mechanisms of several traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients and compounds in the treatment of liver fibrosis via hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), including inhibiting HSCs activation, regulating the inactivation of HSCs, and promoting the death of activated HSCs were reviewed 7 . Many oriental elements were displayed on the cover, such as Chinese herbs and the Yin‐Yang and Five‐Element theory in the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine.…”

Advanced application of nanotechnology in active constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

“…The therapeutic potential of TCMs has long been attributed to the functional groups present in the active ingredients of TCMs, including carboxyl, alcohol, phenol and amine, etc. These functional groups, comprising more than half of TCMs components, have been shown to possess pharmacological activity that is responsible for its unique medicinal effects, including compatibility issues, combination of multiple components, and multi-target action [ 5 – 7 ]. As such, a comprehensive investigation and application of these active molecules or groups hold great promise for advancing TCMs as a viable therapeutic option.…”