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Chen W, Luo H, Zhong Z, Wei J, Wang Y. The safety of Chinese medicine: A systematic review of endogenous substances and exogenous residues. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 108:154534. [PMID: 36371955 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safety and toxicity have become major challenges in the internationalization of Chinese medicine. Inspite of its wide application, security problems of Chinese medicine still occur from time to time, raising widespread concerns about its safety. Most of the studies either only partially discussed the intrinsic toxicities or extrinsic harmful residues in Chinese medicine, or briefly described detoxification and attenuation methods. It is necessary to systematically discuss Chinese medicine's extrinsic and intrinsic toxic components and corresponding toxicity detoxification or detection methods as a whole. PURPOSE This review comprehensively summarizes various toxic components in Chinese medicine from intrinsic and extrinsic. Then the corresponding methods for detoxification or detection of toxicity are highlighted. It is expected to provide a reference for safeguards for developing and using Chinese medicine. METHODS A literature search was conducted in the databases, including PubMed, Web of Science,Wan-fang database, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Keywords used were safety, toxicity, intrinsic toxicities, extrinsic harmful residues, alkaloids, terpene and macrolides, saponins, toxic proteins, toxic crystals, minerals, heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, sulfur dioxide, detoxification, detection, processing (Paozhi), compatibility (Peiwu), Chinese medicine, etc., and combinations of these keywords. All selected articles were from 2006 to 2022, and each was assessed critically for our exclusion criteria. Studies describe the classification of toxic components of Chinese medicine, the toxic effects and mechanisms of Chinese medicine, and the corresponding methods for detoxification or detection of toxicity. RESULTS The toxic components of Chinese medicines can be classified as intrinsic toxicities and extrinsic harmful residues. Firstly, we summarized the intrinsic toxicities of Chinese medicine, the adverse effects and toxicity mechanisms caused by these components. Next, we focused on the detoxification or attenuation methods for intrinsic toxicities of Chinese medicine. The other main part discussed the latest progress in analytical strategies for exogenous hazardous substances, including heavy metals, pesticides, and mycotoxins. Beyond reviewing mainstream instrumental methods, we also introduced the emerging biochip, biosensor and immuno-based techniques. CONCLUSION In this review, we provide an overall assessment of the recent progress in endogenous toxins and exogenous hazardous substances concerning Chinese medicine, which is expected to render deeper insights into the safety of Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyue Chen
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China
| | - Hua Luo
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China; College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Zhangfeng Zhong
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China; College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, China; Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, China
| | - Jinchao Wei
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China.
| | - Yitao Wang
- Macao Centre for Research and Development in Chinese Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao SAR 999078, China.
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Zhang X, Wang K, Dai H, Cai J, Liu Y, Yin C, Wu J, Li X, Wu G, Lu A, Liu Q, Guan D. Quantification of promoting efficiency and reducing toxicity of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A case study of the combination of Tripterygium wilfordii hook. f. and Lysimachia christinae hance in the treatment of lung cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1018273. [PMID: 36339610 PMCID: PMC9631451 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1018273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) usually acts in the form of compound prescriptions in the treatment of complex diseases. The herbs contained in each prescription have the dual nature of efficiency and toxicity due to their complex chemical component, and the principle of prescription is usually to increase efficiency and reduce toxicity. At present, the studies on prescriptions have mainly focused on the consideration of the material basis and possible mechanism of the action mode, but the quantitative research on the compatibility rule of increasing efficiency and reducing toxicity is still the tip of the iceberg. With the extensive application of computational pharmacology technology in the research of TCM prescriptions, it is possible to quantify the mechanism of synergism and toxicity reduction of the TCM formula. Currently, there are some classic drug pairs commonly used to treat complex diseases, such as Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. with Lysimachia christinae Hance for lung cancer, Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. in the treatment of coronary heart disease, but there is a lack of systematic quantitative analysis model and strategy to quantitatively study the compatibility rule and potential mechanism of synergism and toxicity reduction. To address this issue, we designed an integrated model which integrates matrix decomposition and shortest path propagation, taking into account both the crosstalk of the effective network and the propagation characteristics. With the integrated model strategy, we can quantitatively detect the possible mechanisms of synergism and attenuation of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. and Lysimachia christinae Hance in the treatment of lung cancer. The results showed the compatibility of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. and Lysimachia christinae Hance could increase the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of lung cancer treatment through MAPK pathway and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, National Key Clinical Specialty/Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Neurosurgery Institute, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Integrated Bioinformedicine and Translational Science, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hui Dai
- Hospital Office, Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- Hospital Office, Ganzhou Hospital-Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangdong, China
| | - Jieqi Cai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuanhui Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiyong Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Institute of Integrated Bioinformedicine and Translational Science, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Aiping Lu, ; Qinwen Liu, ; Daogang Guan,
| | - Qinwen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Aiping Lu, ; Qinwen Liu, ; Daogang Guan,
| | - Daogang Guan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Aiping Lu, ; Qinwen Liu, ; Daogang Guan,
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Fan Q, Xu F, Liang B, Zou X. The Anti-Obesity Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Lipid Metabolism. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:696603. [PMID: 34234682 PMCID: PMC8255923 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.696603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
With the improvement of living conditions and the popularity of unhealthy eating and living habits, obesity is becoming a global epidemic. Obesity is now recognized as a disease that not only increases the risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer but also negatively affects longevity and the quality of life. The traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are highly enriched in bioactive compounds and have been used for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases over a long period of time. In this review, we selected the most commonly used anti-obesity or anti-hyperlipidemia TCMs and, where known, their major bioactive compounds. We then summarized their multi-target molecular mechanisms, specifically focusing on lipid metabolism, including the modulation of lipid absorption, reduction of lipid synthesis, and increase of lipid decomposition and lipid transportation, as well as the regulation of appetite. This review produces a current and comprehensive understanding of integrative and systematic mechanisms for the use of TCMs for anti-obesity. We also advocate taking advantage of TCMs as another therapy for interventions on obesity-related diseases, as well as stressing the fact that more is needed to be done, scientifically, to determine the active compounds and modes of action of the TCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qijing Fan
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Furong Xu
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Bin Liang
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoju Zou
- College of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
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Son YJ, Jung DS, Shin JM, Kim M, Yoo G, Nho CW. Yellow loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris var. davurica) ameliorates liver fibrosis in db/db mice with methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. BMC Complement Med Ther 2021; 21:44. [PMID: 33494735 PMCID: PMC7836176 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-021-03212-6] [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: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a liver disease caused by a nonalcoholic fatty liver, is increasing in incidence worldwide. Owing to the complexity of its pathogenic mechanisms, there are no therapeutic agents for this disease yet. The ideal drug for NASH needs to concurrently decrease hepatic lipid accumulation and exert anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antioxidative effects in the liver. Because of their multipurpose therapeutic effects, we considered that medicinal herbs are suitable for treating patients with NASH. Methods We determined the efficacy of the alcoholic extract of Lysimachia vulgaris var. davurica (LV), an edible medicinal herb, for NASH treatment. For inducing NASH, C57BLKS/J lar-Leprdb/Leprdb (db/db) male mice were fed with a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet ad libitum. After 3 weeks, the LV extract and a positive control (GFT505) were administered to mice by oral gavage for 3 weeks with a continued MCD diet as needed. Results In mice with diet-induced NASH, the LV extract could relieve the disease symptoms; that is, the extract ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and also showed antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. The LV extract also activated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression, leading to the upregulation of antioxidants and detoxification signaling. Moreover, the extract presented remarkable efficacy in alleviating liver fibrosis compared with GFT505. This difference was caused by significant LV extract-mediated reduction in the mRNA expression of fibrotic genes like the alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen type 3 alpha 1. Reduction of fibrotic genes may thus relate with the downregulation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)/Smad signaling by LV extract administration. Conclusions Lipid accumulation and inflammatory responses in the liver were alleviated by feeding LV extract to NASH-induced mice. Moreover, the LV extract strongly prevented liver fibrosis by blocking TGFβ/Smad signaling. Hence, LV showed sufficient potency for use as a therapeutic agent against NASH. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03212-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Ju Son
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Da Seul Jung
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Ji Min Shin
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Myungsuk Kim
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Gyhye Yoo
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea
| | - Chu Won Nho
- Smart Farm Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung Institute of Natural Products, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, 25451, South Korea.
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Kim HA, Lee D, Lee H, Lee J. Lysimachia christinae Hance as an anticancer agent against breast cancer cells. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:5717-5728. [PMID: 33133573 PMCID: PMC7590289 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and metastasis is the leading cause of death in breast cancer patients. Although chemoprevention is widely employed to treat breast cancer, anticancer drugs can cause significant adverse effects. Lysimachia christinae Hance (LH) is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant with diverse therapeutic effects. However, its potential anticancer activity has not been fully investigated in breast cancers to date. Using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we found that the main constituent of LH extract (LHE) was rutin. Our results indicated that LHE or rutin markedly decreased the proliferation and viability of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 and ER-negative HCC38 human breast cancer cells. LHE treatment induced morphological changes in apoptotic nuclei using 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) propidium iodide (PI) staining assay revealed that apoptosis significantly increased in both breast cancer cell types after LHE treatment. Additionally, the expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Bcl-2, and phospho-Akt decreased, while that of cleaved PARP and p53 increased, in both cell types. Furthermore, LHE treatment inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). LHE treatment significantly upregulated E-cadherin level in MCF-7 and HCC38 cells, while vimentin level was downregulated in HCC38 cells. In addition, transwell and wound-healing assays revealed that LHE or rutin inhibited breast cancer cell migration. Overall, these findings demonstrate that LHE is a promising therapeutic agent that acts by promoting apoptosis and reducing cell proliferation, EMT, and cell migration in ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun A. Kim
- Department of Food and NutritionChosun UniversityGwangjuKorea
| | | | - Hwan Lee
- College of PharmacyChosun UniversityGwangjuKorea
| | - Joomin Lee
- Department of Food and NutritionChosun UniversityGwangjuKorea
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Wang JM, Li JY, Cai H, Chen RX, Zhang YY, Zhang LL, Cui Y, Cheng YX. Nrf2 participates in mechanisms for reducing the toxicity and enhancing the antitumour effect of Radix Tripterygium wilfordii to S180-bearing mice by herbal-processing technology. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2019; 57:437-448. [PMID: 31280667 PMCID: PMC6691819 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2019.1634106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Context: Radix Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Celastraceae) (LGT) has outstanding curative efficacy; however, side effects include high toxicity, particularly hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Objective: To investigate detoxification mechanisms of LGT through processing separately with each of these medicinal herbs including Flower Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae) (JYH), Radix Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Ranunculaceae) (BS), Herba Lysimachia christinae Hance (Primulaceae) (JQC), Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Fabaceae) (GC) and Seed Phaseolus radiatus L. (Fabaceae) (LD) in S180-bearing mice by involving nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). Materials and methods: LGT raw and processed products were orally administered at 60 mg/kg to KM male mice inoculated with S180 tumour cells for 14 consecutive days, and blood, tumour, liver and kidney were taken to observe the detoxifying effects and biological mechanisms. Results: Herbal-processing technology significantly weakened hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity evoked by LGT with ED50 of the converted triptolide in each processed-herb product for serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, creatinine and urea nitrogen of 9.3, 16.6, 2.5 and 4.2 μg/kg, for liver glutathione, glutathione S-transferase, catalase, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-10 of 114.9, 67.8, 134.1, 7.7, 4171.6 μg/kg, and for kidney 21.9, 20.5, 145.0, 529.7, 19.4 μg/kg, respectively. Moreover, herbal-processing technology promoted the accumulation of Nrf2 into the nucleus, and upregulated mRNA expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1. Additionally, herbal-processing technology enhanced the tumour inhibition rate with ED50 12.2 μg/kg. Discussion and conclusions: Herbal-processing technology improves the safety and effectiveness of LGT in cancer treatment, and future research may be focused on the Nrf2-related molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ming Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Respiratory Disease Diagnosis and Treatment & Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- CONTACT Jun-Ming Wang College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, No. 156 Jinshui East Road, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Jin-Yang Li
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Hong Cai
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rong-Xing Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yue-Yue Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lu-Lu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying Cui
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Respiratory Disease Diagnosis and Treatment & Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
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