New Potential Pharmacological Functions of Chinese Herbal Medicines via Regulation of Autophagy

Autophagy is a universal catabolic cellular process for quality control of cytoplasm and maintenance of cellular homeostasis upon nutrient deprivation and environmental stimulus. It involves the lysosomal degradation of cellular components such as misfolded proteins or damaged organelles. Defects in autophagy are implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases including cancers, myopathy, neurodegenerations, infections and cardiovascular diseases. In the recent decade, traditional drugs with new clinical applications are not only commonly found in Western medicines, but also highlighted in Chinese herbal medicines (CHM). For instance, pharmacological studies have revealed that active components or fractions from Chaihu (Radix bupleuri), Hu Zhang (Rhizoma polygoni cuspidati), Donglingcao (Rabdosia rubesens), Hou po (Cortex magnoliae officinalis) and Chuan xiong (Rhizoma chuanxiong) modulate cancers, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease via autophagy. These findings shed light on the potential new applications and formulation of CHM decoctions via regulation of autophagy. This article reviews the roles of autophagy in the pharmacological actions of CHM and discusses their new potential clinical applications in various human diseases..

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2016

Erschienen:

2016

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:21

Enthalten in:

Molecules - 21(2016), 3, p 359

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Betty Yuen Kwan Law [VerfasserIn]
Simon Wing Fai Mok [VerfasserIn]
An Guo Wu [VerfasserIn]
Christopher Wai Kei Lam [VerfasserIn]
Margaret Xin Yi Yu [VerfasserIn]
Vincent Kam Wai Wong [VerfasserIn]

Links:

doi.org [kostenfrei]
doaj.org [kostenfrei]
www.mdpi.com [kostenfrei]
Journal toc [kostenfrei]

Themen:

Autophagy
Chinese herbal medicines
Natural products
Novel functions
Organic chemistry

doi:

10.3390/molecules21030359

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

DOAJ046016384