%0 Journal Article
%T The Effect of TCM Herbs on Mitochondrial Functions: The Linkage between Qi and Mitochondria
%A Yu Chen
%A Qian Feng
%A Mengmei Li
%A Zhongzhen Cai
%A Yuming Chen
%A Lin Wang
%A Jie Teng
%A Yanjie Chen
%A Wenjun Wang
%A Glen Rein
%A Bruce Qing Tang
%A Xuemei Bai
%J Chinese Medicine
%P 127-141
%@ 2151-1926
%D 2020
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/cm.2020.114008
%X The linkage between Qi and
mitochondria was investigated by exploring the effect of Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) Qi-invigorating herbs on mitochondrial function at the
biochemical and molecular levels. Three Chinese herbs (&lt;i&gt;</span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Astragali radix</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">,</span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> Herba cistanche</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">, </span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Panax
ginseng</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">&lt;/i&gt;) were used to treat cultured mouse kidney cells and the
generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was measured. The Qi-invigorating
herb, &lt;i&gt;</span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Astragali radix</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">&lt;/i&gt;,
was selected for further </span></span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">study using additional biological and molecular
parameters, including ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial
membrane potential (MMP),</span><span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> mtDNA copies,
superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), cell growth, cell viability and
transcriptomes. We also chose two concentrations of &lt;i&gt;</span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Astragali radix</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">&lt;/i&gt; to study the
hormetic effect. The results indicated that: 1) Qi-invigorating herbs have
significant effects on the function of mitochondria, with ATP production and
the antioxidant capacity being significantly enhanced, and ROS le</span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">vels
being reduced, allowing for a more optimal oxidation environment. The effect of
the herbs followed a hormetic curve with a stimulating effect at lower</span><span> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">doses but an inhibiting effect at high
doses; 2) The growth of the cells was not</span><span> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">affected
despite numerous biochemical changes associated with mitochondrial</span><span> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">function, indicating the powerful ability
of mitochondria to maintain cellular homeostasis; 3) The up-regulation of NOCT
gene, related to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) synthesis, offers a
molecular basis for the ATP-promoting effect of the Qi-invigorating herbs. This
work provides additional insight into the efficacy of TCM herbs from a western
perspective.
%K Qi-Invigorating Herbs
%K Qi
%K Mitochondria
%K Hormesis
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=106653