Despite the fact that numerous researches were performed on prevention and treatment of inflammation related diseases, the overall incidence has not changed remarkably. This requires new approaches to overcome inflammation mediated diseases, and thus traditional medicine could be an efficacious source for prevention and treatment of these diseases. In this review, we discuss the contribution of traditional medicine, especially
Inflammation is an essential part of the body’s natural responses against harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, toxin, damaged cells, irritants, stress, or injury. Initially, although the symptoms of acute inflammation are unpleasant, they are absolutely necessary for the healing processes. However, sometimes inflammation can cause further inflammation (chronic inflammation), which can last for several months and even years. It can result from failure to eliminate an acute inflammation, an autoimmune response to a self-antigen. Chronic inflammation can eventually cause several diseases and conditions, including some cancers, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, periodontitis, ischemic heart disease, and ulcerative colitis. Therefore, inflammation needs to be well regulated [
Traditional medicine is a part of traditional East Asian medical systems and has been used for treating various kinds of diseases including cancer for thousands of years, and, recently, increasing emphasis has been focused on the research on traditional medicine. Particularly, many herbs and medicinal plants have been reported to prevent and inhibit various kinds of diseases [
Schematic representation for the traditional and modern uses of
Numerous researches from both
Biological activities of
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Exhibited activity against |
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(i) Exhibited 70% cell death in HeLa and CT-26 tumor cell lines at a minimum concentration of 2.48 |
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(ii) Increased DNA fragmentation on the human B and T lymphoma cell lines, BJAB and Jurkat [ |
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(iii) Exhibited apoptosis |
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(iv) Exhibited apoptosis induction on SV40-mediated transformed embryonic hepatic cells [ |
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(v) Induced apoptosis through an intrinsic pathway in gastric cancer cell lines [ |
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(vi) Exhibited caspase-independent death of human osteosarcoma cells |
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(vii) Enhanced mitochondrial mediated apoptosis by inhibition of the PI3K-Akt/PKB survival pathway in gastric cancer cell lines [ |
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(viii) Exhibited potential organ-specific anticancer activity [ |
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(i) Inhibited cell proliferation in cultured HeLa and CT-26 tumor cells [ |
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(ii) Inhibited the growth of human B, BJAB, and T lymphoma cell lines, Jurkat [ |
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(iii) Exhibited sensitive growth inhibition in human osteosarcoma cells [ |
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(iv) Exhibited a selective growth inhibition on SV40-mediated transformed embryonic hepatic cells [ |
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(v) Exhibited a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth in gastric cancer cells at 50 |
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(vi) Inhibited the clonogenic growth of small numbers of UACC-812 breast cancer cells cocultured with fibroblasts |
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(vii) Suppressed mouse macrophage cell proliferation [ |
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(i) Suppressed proinflammatory mediators NO, PGE2, and TNF- |
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(ii) Inhibited ROS production and PKC- |
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(iii) Inhibited the expressions of TNF- |
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(iv) Inhibited LPS-induced NO, PGE2, TNF- |
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(v) Suppressed NOS |
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(vi) Suppressed iNOS and COX2 mRNA expression induced by LPS and decreased intracellular ROS levels induced by LPS [ |
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(vii) Inhibited inflammation-related cytokines and angiogenic factor in rheumatoid arthritic fibroblast-like synovial cells [ |
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(viii) Suppressed 2,4-DNFB-induced allergic contact dermatitis [ |
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(i) Exhibited the inhibition of hydroxyl radical-mediated degradation by iron ion chelation [ |
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(ii) Exhibited the inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation, protected human LDL from oxidative modification, and protected against plasmid DNA strand breakage induced by peroxyl free radicals [ |
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(iii) Exhibited against hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals in |
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(iv) Inhibited activities of NF- |
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(v) Reduced intracellular ROS formation caused by H2O2, reduced TBARS formation, and attenuated catalase depletion at concentration of 100 |
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(vi) Prevented cisplatin-induced ROS release against MDCK-I cells [ |
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(vii) Protected human keratinocytes against oxidative stress caused by H2O2 [ |
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Exhibited antiviral activity against fish pathogenic IHNV and VHSV [ |
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(i) Protected the murine hippocampal HT22 cells against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity [ |
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(ii) Protected dopaminergic neuronal cells in a rotenone model of PD [ |
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(iii) Protected against 6-OHDA-induced neuronal cell death of PD [ |
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(iv) Protected against rotenone-induced toxicity by preventing the downregulation of BDNF and GDNF in human dopaminergic cells, SH-SY5Y [ |
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(i) Inhibited platelet aggregation |
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(ii) Exhibited anti-AKR1B10 activity at 1 |
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(iii) Suppressed IL-4 and -10 in BPA-stimulated primary cultured mouse lymphocytes [ |
AIF: apoptosis-inducing factor; AKR1B10: Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10; AP-1: activator protein-1; BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; BPA: bisphenol A; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; 2,4-DNFB: 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene; GDNF: glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; G/GO: glucose/glucose oxidase; HO: heme oxygenase;
Carcinogenesis is a multistep process involving the transformation, survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of the tumor and may take over 30 years [
Chronic inflammation has been associated with numerous human chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, autoimmune, and degenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes [
Inflammatory gene products and mechanism regulated by
Model | Inducer | Mechanism (target genes) | [References] |
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Cell lines | |||
Macrophage | LPS | Inhibited NO, PGE2, and TNF- |
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Macrophage | LPS | Inhibited ROS production |
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Macrophage | LPS | Reduced iNOS at the transcriptional level |
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HMC-1 | PMA, A23187 | Inhibited the expressions of TNF- |
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FLS | IL-1 |
Decreased TNF- |
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Macrophage | LPS | Inhibited NO, PGE2, TNF- |
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Animals | |||
Mouse | Carrageenan | Reduced paw edema | [ |
Mouse | Acetic acid | Decreased peritoneal capillary permeability | |
CMC-Na | Significantly decreased leukocytes migration in peritoneal cavity | ||
Oxazolone | Inhibited ear thickness (DTH) | ||
Collagen | Reduced the incidence and severity of CIA | [ | |
Mouse | 2,4-DNFB | Reduced ear swelling, hyperplasia of ear tissue | |
Increased vascular permeability | |||
Decreased numbers of infiltrated mast cells | [ |
AP-1: activator protein-1; CIA: collagen-induced arthritis; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; 2,4-DNFB: 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene; DTH: delayed type hypersensitivity; FLS: rheumatoid arthritic fibroblast-like synovial cells; HMC-1: human mast cells; HO: heme oxygenase; IL: interleukin; iNOS: inducible nitric oxide synthase; JNK: c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; MCP-1: monocyte chemoattractant protein; NF-
Biological activities of
Model | Effect |
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Antidiabetic | |
Rat | Exhibited a decrease in blood glucose levels and blood TBARS concentrations in STZ-induced diabetic rats [ |
Mouse | Decreased in plasma lipid levels (TC, TG, and LDL) and inhibited the activity of HMG-CoA reductase and the levels of TBARS in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice [ |
Anti-inflammatory | |
Mouse | Reduced carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema [ |
Mouse | Exhibited activities on vascular permeability, leukocyte migration, and cellular immunity and reduced the incidence and severity of collagen-induced arthritis model [ |
Antioxidative | |
Mouse | Increased the activities of detoxicant enzymes (CAT, SOD, and GPx) in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice [ |
Hepatoprotection | |
Mouse | Suppressed an AFB1-induced increase in serum levels of ALT, ALP, and LDH, prevented MDA formation, and blocked decreases in glutathione levels and SOD [ |
Mouse | Protected from liver damage through inhibited radical scavenging ability, enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, increased the NO production, and decreased the NF- |
Neurodegenerative diseases | |
Rat | Increased in BDNF and GDNF protein levels in the rat brain [ |
Protection from chemical insults | |
Mouse | Exhibited potential against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and ROS production [ |
Other activities | |
Mouse | Modulated TPA-induced apoptosis, cytokine production, and T/B cell proliferation in splenocytes [ |
Rat | Exhibited an antifibrogenic activity by inhibition of collagen accumulation and lipid peroxidation and by downregulation of the expression of both |
AFB-1: aflatoxin B-1; ALP: alkaline phosphatase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AP-1: activator protein-1; BDNF: brain-derived neurotrophic factor; CAT: catalase; CCl4: carbon tetrachloride; GDNF: glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; GPx: glutathione peroxidase; HMG-CoA: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; MDA: malondialdehyde; NF-
Many studies have indicated the growth inhibitory effects of
Additionally, except for the activities discussed above,
In addition to the activities discussed above,
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, and this disease increases the risk of long-term complications, and, therefore, it should be well regulated like inflammation.
In addition to the activities discussed above,
The most common neurodegenerative disease in which
In addition to the activities indicated above,
Standard modern therapies for cancer treatment include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and palliative care. Cancer surgery still remains the foundation of treatment for cancer patients. However, patients with locally advanced disease such as gastric cancer showed high rates of locoregional or distant recurrence even after potentially curative surgery [
Biological activities of
Type | Effect |
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Anticancer | |
Colon | Ten among 36 patients were alive after treatment with 2.7 months (95% confidence interval, 1.9–3.5) median administration period, 10.9 months (95% confidence interval, 5.6–16.1) median overall survival, and 44.4% 1-year survival rate [ |
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Gastric | Case study: decreased the polypoid mass at the mid body and a slight decrease in the flat elevated lesion at the prepyloric antrum at 5 months after starting daily therapy with 900 mg of orally administered [ |
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Liver | Case study: patient with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation refractory to doxorubicin exhibited shrinkage of the lung metastasis, nonhematologic toxicity at 5 months after receiving 3 times in a day with 450 mg orally administered [ |
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Renal | (i) Case study I: exhibited a complete response in all pulmonary metastases including resolution of right pulmonary artery thrombosis when given at 450 mg capsules with three times a day for 4 months [ |
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Pancreatic | Three among 42 patients were alive with 3.86 months (95% confidence interval 2.52–5.20) mean administration period, 7.87 months (95% confidence interval 5.14–10.59) median overall survival, and 26.2% 1-year survival rate [ |
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Pulmonary | (i) Case study: maintained good performance status with ECOG performance status of 0 for 2 years after treating daily therapy with 1,350 mg of orally administered remedy without orthodox therapies and no significant adverse effects [ |
DCR: disease control rate; ECOG: European Cooperative Oncology Group; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung carcinoma; OS: overall survival; PFS: progression-free survival.
In addition to the clinical research indicated above,
Molecular structure of common constituents of
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of constituents identified from
Many researches have been studied to identify the clinically active ingredient from
Selected biological activities of selected main compounds from
Type | Effect |
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Butein | (i) Exhibited aldose reductase and advanced glycation end-products inhibition [ |
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Fisetin | (i) Exhibited antibacterial effect [ |
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Kaempferol | (i) Inhibited estrogen binding to serum alpha-fetoprotein AFP in fetal or neonatal rats [ |
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Fustin | (i) Exerted inhibition of cell proliferation on Molt-4 cell and normal lymphocyte and enhanced IL-2 level [ |
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Sulfuretin | (i) Exhibited potent antioxidants in a DPPH free radical scavenging assay [ |
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Quercetin | (i) Induced apoptosis in colorectal tumor cells |
20alpha-HSD: 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; 6-OHDA: 6-hydroxydopamine; AFB1: aflatoxin B1; Abeta: amyloid-beta; AP-1: activator protein-1; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; DCR: disease control rate; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; DNMT: DNA methyltransferase; DPPH: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; ECOG: European Cooperative Oncology Group; EGF: epidermal growth factor; bFGF: basic fibroblast growth factor; ERK: extracellular signal-regulated kinases; GHB: gamma-hydroxybutyrate; GR: glutathione reductase; GSH: glutathione; GSH-Px: glutathione peroxidase; HO: heme oxygenase; HSV-1: herpes simplex virus type 1; IkB-alpha: inhibitory kappa B-alpha; IHNV: infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus; IKK beta: I kappaB kinase beta; IL-1 beta: interleukin-1 beta; iNOS: inducible nitric oxide synthase; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; MCM: macrophage conditioned medium; MKP-1: mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1; MMP: matrix metalloproteinase; NF-kappaB: nuclear factor-kappaB; NO: nitric oxide; nrf2: nuclear factor E2-related factor 2; NSCLC: non-small-cell lung carcinoma; OS: overall survival; PDGF: platelet-derived growth factor; PFS: progression-free survival; PGE2: prostaglandin E2; PKC: protein kinase C; PMACI: phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SOD: superoxide dismutase; STZ: streptozotocin; TNF-alpha: tumor necrosis factor-alpha; TPA: 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate; VHSV: viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus.
Urushiol is an allergen found in Anacardiaceae family, especially
Whereas modern medicine has developed chemotherapy drugs for single-targeted agents, the traditional medicine is for multitargeted agents. The usage of entire or part extraction from a plant probably alleviates the adverse effects and drug resistance which are major problems in modern medicine [
No conflicting financial interests exist.
This study was supported by the Traditional Korean Medicine R&D Program funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (B120014).