Traditional Chinese Medicine and Immune Regulation
- 24 July 2012
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
- Vol. 44 (3), 229-241
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-012-8332-0
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have a long history in Asian countries and are traditionally used to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. The rising interest in TCMs in recent years is reflected in both the increase in their market demand as well as scientific research. Previous studies show that TCMs perform dual roles on immunological regulation: immunological activation and immunological suppression. This review highlights studies focusing on the immunomodulatory effects of TCMs, describing their stimulatory effect on immune cells, immune organs, cytokine production, tumorigenesis, as well as their inhibitory function on inflammation, allergy, autoimmune disease, and graft rejection. Components of both innate and adaptive immunity may be modulated by specific TCMs. TCMs may also have antitumor effects and may play a role in regulating apoptosis. Immunomodulatory effects of TCMs may lead to new medications to treat allergic and autoimmune diseases. More high quality studies are needed to achieve scientific validity to these potential treatments. Evidence presented in this review reveals the role of TCMs in immune regulation and proposes a promising future for them in immunomodulatory therapies.Keywords
This publication has 109 references indexed in Scilit:
- Anti-tumor effect of Liqi, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, in tumor bearing miceBMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2009
- Cancer-related inflammationNature, 2008
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms of fibrosisThe Journal of Pathology, 2007
- Getting to the site of inflammation: the leukocyte adhesion cascade updatedNature Reviews Immunology, 2007
- A cytokine-mediated link between innate immunity, inflammation, and cancerJCI Insight, 2007
- Stimulating Effect of Japanese Herbal (Kampo) Medicine, Hochuekkito on Upper Respiratory Mucosal Immune SystemEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2006
- Global cancer statistics in the year 2000The Lancet Oncology, 2001
- Protective effect of Shigyaku-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on the infection of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in miceCellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 1994
- Determination of paeonol metabolites in man by the use of stable isotopes.CHEMICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN, 1981
- Studies on fungal polysaccharides. XXVII. Structural examination of a water-soluble, antitumor polysaccharide of Ganoderma lucidum.CHEMICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN, 1981