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Tran MN, Kim S, Nguyen QHN, Lee S. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Qi-Invigorating Effects in Traditional Medicine: Network Pharmacology-Based Study on the Unique Functions of Qi-Invigorating Herb Group. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11192470. [PMID: 36235337 PMCID: PMC9573487 DOI: 10.3390/plants11192470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Qi-invigorating herbs (QIHs) are a group of herbs that invigorate Qi, the most vital force for maintaining the physiological functions of the human body in traditional medicine. However, the mechanism underlying the Qi-invigorating effects remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the unique mechanisms of QIHs based on unique compounds, using a network pharmacology approach. QIHs and their compounds were identified using existing literature and the TCMSP database, respectively. Subsequently, a method was proposed to screen for unique compounds that are common in QIHs but rare in other traditional herbs. Unique compounds’ targets were predicted using the TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, and SwissTargetPrediction databases. Finally, enriched GO and KEGG pathways were obtained using DAVID to uncover the biomolecular functions and mechanisms. Thirteen unique compounds, mainly including amino acids and vitamins that participate in energy metabolism and improve Qi deficiency syndrome, were identified among the eight QIHs. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that these compounds commonly participate in neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction and the metabolism of amino acids, and are related to the components of mitochondria and neuronal cells. Our results appropriately reflect the characteristics of traditional Qi-invigorating effects; therefore, this study facilitates the scientific interpretation of Qi functions and provides evidence regarding the treatment effectiveness of QIHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh Nhat Tran
- Korean Medicine Data Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Korea
- Korean Convergence Medical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
- Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 49120, Vietnam
| | - Soyoung Kim
- Korean Medicine Data Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Korea
- Korean Convergence Medical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Quynh Hoang Ngan Nguyen
- Center for Artificial Intelligence, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
- AI Robotics, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Sanghun Lee
- Korean Medicine Data Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Korea
- Korean Convergence Medical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-42-868-9461
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Tian J, Huang Y, Wu T, Huang HD, Ko KM, Zhu BT, Chen J. The Use of Chinese Yang/Qi-Invigorating Tonic Botanical Drugs/Herbal Formulations in Ameliorating Chronic Kidney Disease by Enhancing Mitochondrial Function. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:622498. [PMID: 34248614 PMCID: PMC8264145 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.622498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated as a key factor in the development of CKD. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, many Chinese Yang/Qi-invigorating botanical drugs/herbal formulations have been shown to produce promising outcomes in the clinical management of CKD. Experimental studies have indicated that the health-promoting action of Yang/Qi invigoration in TCM is related to the up-regulation of mitochondrial energy generation and antioxidant status. Objective: In this review, we aim to test whether Chinese Yang/Qi-invigorating tonic botanical drugs/herbal formulations can provide medical benefits in CKD and its complications. And we also explore the possible involvement of mitochondrial-associated signaling pathway underlying the beneficial effects of Yang/Qi invigoration in TCM. Methods: A systematic search of "PubMed", "China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)" and "Google Scholar" was carried out to collect all the available articles in English or Chinese related to Chinese Yang/Qi-invigorating tonic botanical drugs/herbal formulations and their effects on mitochondrial function and chronic kidney disease. Result and Discussion: The relationship between the progression of CKD and mitochondrial function is discussed. The effects of Chinese Yang/Qi-invigorating tonic botanical drugs/herbal formulations and their active ingredients, including phytosterols/triterpenes, flavonoids, and dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, on CKD and related alterations in mitochondrial signaling pathways are also presented in this review. In the future, exploration of the possible beneficial effects and clinical studies of more Yang- and Qi-invigorating botanical drugs/herbal formulations in the prevention and/or/treatment of CKD and the molecular mechanisms relating to the enhancement of mitochondrial functions warrants further investigation. Conclusion: Given the critical role of mitochondrial function in safeguarding renal functional integrity, the enhancement of mitochondrial energy metabolism and antioxidant status in kidney tissue is likely involved in renal protection. Future studies on the biochemical and chemical basis underlying the effects of Chinese Yang/Qi-invigorating tonic botanical drugs/herbal formulations from a mitochondrial perspective will hopefully provide novel insights into the rational development of new drugs for the prevention and/or treatment of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Tian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuqi Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tong Wu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hsien-Da Huang
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kam Ming Ko
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bao Ting Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jihang Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Discovery and Development, School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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Li M, Chen Y, Cai Z, Teng J, Feng Q, Chen Y, Wang L, Li C, Tang BQ, Bai X. Exploring the Biochemical Basis of the Meridian Tropism Theory for the Qi-Invigorating Traditional Chinese Medicine Herb Panax ginseng. J Evid Based Integr Med 2021; 26:2515690X20983249. [PMID: 33634715 PMCID: PMC7917415 DOI: 10.1177/2515690x20983249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the effect of the Qi-invigorating Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) herb Panax ginseng (P.G.) on mitochondrial functions and cellular antioxidant capacity in different organs of mice. We found that the P.G. extracts had a significant effect on tissues of mice, with the generation of total adenylate pool (TAP) enhanced in all visceral tissues, but not for the brain. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and antioxidant capacity reflected by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) increased only for the meridian tissues that P.G. belongs to including Heart, Spleen and Lung. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a combined result of the increased energy metabolism and antioxidant capacity, varied in different organs. We concluded that: 1) the Qi-invigorating TCM herb P.G. had a significant effect on mice by enhancing TAP production in all of the visceral tissues examined, except for the brain; 2) for the meridional tissues of P.G. (Heart, Spleen and Lung), the P.G. extracts not only promoted the TAP production, but also boosted the antioxidant capacity demonstrated by the simultaneous increase in TAP, and SOD and GSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmei Li
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Yu Chen
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Zhongzhen Cai
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Jie Teng
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Qian Feng
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Yuming Chen
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Lin Wang
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Caixia Li
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Bruce Qing Tang
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
| | - Xuemei Bai
- ENNOVA Institute of Life Science and Technology, ENN Group, Langfang, China
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Chen Y, Feng Q, Li M, Cai Z, Chen Y, Wang L, Teng J, Chen Y, Wang W, Rein G, Tang BQ, Bai X. The Effect of TCM Herbs on Mitochondrial Functions: The Linkage between Qi and Mitochondria. Chin Med 2020. [DOI: 10.4236/cm.2020.114008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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