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Guo W, Ma H, Wang CZ, Wan JY, Yao H, Yuan CS. Epigenetic Studies of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Pleiotropic Role of DNA Methylation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:790321. [PMID: 34950039 PMCID: PMC8688941 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.790321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating knowledge has been achieved on DNA methylation participating in numerous cellular processes and multiple human diseases; however, few studies have addressed the pleiotropic role of DNA methylation in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). CHM has been used worldwide for the prevention and treatment of multiple diseases. Newly developed epigenetic techniques have brought great opportunities for the development of CHM. In this review, we summarize the DNA methylation studies and portray the pleiotropic role of DNA methylation in CHM. DNA methylation serves as a mediator participating in plant responses to environmental factors, and thus affecting CHM medicinal plants growth and bioactive compound biosynthesis which are vital for therapeutic effects. Furthermore, DNA methylation helps to uncover the pharmaceutical mechanisms of CHM formulae, herbs, and herbal-derived compounds. It also provides scientific validation for constitution theory and other essential issues of CHM. This newly developed field of DNA methylation is up-and-coming to address many complicated scientific questions of CHM; it thus not only promotes disease treatment but also facilitates health maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Han Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chong-Zhi Wang
- Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jin-Yi Wan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Haiqiang Yao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Su Yuan
- Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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