Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory ha...Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.展开更多
According to Chinese medicine theory, Yang/Qi plays a pivotal role in driving physiological functions in the body, these being highly dependent on mitochondrial ATP production. Consistent with this, Yang/Qi-invigorati...According to Chinese medicine theory, Yang/Qi plays a pivotal role in driving physiological functions in the body, these being highly dependent on mitochondrial ATP production. Consistent with this, Yang/Qi-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs have been found to stimulate mitochondrial ATP generation capacity (ATP-GC) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In the present study, we have demonstrated that Yang-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs (namely, Eucommiae Cortex, Cibotii Rhizoma, Dipsaci Radix, Cynomorii Herba, Cistanches Herba, Cuscutae Semen, EpimediiHerba and Morindae Radix) and Qi-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs (namely, Ginseng Radix, Pseudostellariae Radix, Quinquefolii Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Juiubae Fructus, Fici Simplicissimae Radix and Dioscoreae Oppositae Radix) act by different mechanisms to stimulate mitochondrial ATP-GC. While Yang-invigorating herbs fluidize mitochondrial membranes and thus stimulate ATP-GC, Qi-invigorating herbs can enhance cellular glutathione status and increase ATP-GC. The different mechanisms by which Yang-invigorating herbs and Qi-invigorating herbs stimulate mitochondrial ATP-GC may serve as the basis for establishing biomarkers for Yang/Qi-invigorating herbs and herbal health products in general.展开更多
文摘Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.
文摘According to Chinese medicine theory, Yang/Qi plays a pivotal role in driving physiological functions in the body, these being highly dependent on mitochondrial ATP production. Consistent with this, Yang/Qi-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs have been found to stimulate mitochondrial ATP generation capacity (ATP-GC) in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. In the present study, we have demonstrated that Yang-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs (namely, Eucommiae Cortex, Cibotii Rhizoma, Dipsaci Radix, Cynomorii Herba, Cistanches Herba, Cuscutae Semen, EpimediiHerba and Morindae Radix) and Qi-invigorating Chinese tonifying herbs (namely, Ginseng Radix, Pseudostellariae Radix, Quinquefolii Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Juiubae Fructus, Fici Simplicissimae Radix and Dioscoreae Oppositae Radix) act by different mechanisms to stimulate mitochondrial ATP-GC. While Yang-invigorating herbs fluidize mitochondrial membranes and thus stimulate ATP-GC, Qi-invigorating herbs can enhance cellular glutathione status and increase ATP-GC. The different mechanisms by which Yang-invigorating herbs and Qi-invigorating herbs stimulate mitochondrial ATP-GC may serve as the basis for establishing biomarkers for Yang/Qi-invigorating herbs and herbal health products in general.
