New Insights into the Chemical and Biochemical Basis of the “Yang-Invigorating” Action of Chinese Yang-Tonic Herbs
Joint Authors
Wong, Hoi Shan
Leong, Pou Kuan
Leung, Hoi Yan
Chan, Wing Man
Ko, Kam Ming
Chen, Jihang
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-12-29
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
In the practice of traditional Chinese medicine, many Yang-tonic herbs have been used for retarding the decline in bodily function and delaying the onset of age-related diseases.
Our earlier studies have demonstrated that Yang-invigorating herbs/formulations protect against oxidative injury in various organs and also extend the median lifespan in mice.
This lifespan extension was associated with an upregulation of cellular antioxidant status including that of mitochondria whose functional capacity is also increased by “Yang-invigorating” herbs/formulations.
In this paper, we propose that triterpenes and phytosterols, which are ubiquitously found in Yang-tonic herbs, may be the chemical entities responsible for enhancing mitochondrial functional and antioxidant capacity and thus the “Yang-invigorating” action.
The biochemical mechanism underlying this “Yang-invigorating” action may involve a sustained production of low levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) secondary to an increased activity of the electron transport chain, with the possible involvement of mitochondrial uncoupling.
The increase in mitochondrial functional capacity can retard the decline in bodily function during aging, whereas the mitochondrial ROS production is instrumental in eliciting a glutathione antioxidant response via redox-sensitive signaling pathways, which can delay the onset of age-related diseases.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Chen, Jihang& Wong, Hoi Shan& Leong, Pou Kuan& Leung, Hoi Yan& Chan, Wing Man& Ko, Kam Ming. 2014. New Insights into the Chemical and Biochemical Basis of the “Yang-Invigorating” Action of Chinese Yang-Tonic Herbs. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035424
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Chen, Jihang…[et al.]. New Insights into the Chemical and Biochemical Basis of the “Yang-Invigorating” Action of Chinese Yang-Tonic Herbs. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035424
American Medical Association (AMA)
Chen, Jihang& Wong, Hoi Shan& Leong, Pou Kuan& Leung, Hoi Yan& Chan, Wing Man& Ko, Kam Ming. New Insights into the Chemical and Biochemical Basis of the “Yang-Invigorating” Action of Chinese Yang-Tonic Herbs. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035424
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1035424