Classic mechanisms and experimental models for the anti-inflammatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine

Animal Model Exp Med. 2022 Apr;5(2):108-119. doi: 10.1002/ame2.12224. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Abstract

Inflammation is a common disease involved in the pathogenesis, complications, and sequelae of a large number of related diseases, and therefore considerable research has been directed toward developing anti-inflammatory drugs for the prevention and treatment of these diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat inflammatory and related diseases since ancient times. According to the review of abundant modern scientific researches, it is suggested that TCM exhibit anti-inflammatory effects at different levels, and via multiple pathways with various targets, and recently a series of in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory models have been developed for anti-inflammation research in TCM. Currently, the reported classic mechanisms of TCM and experimental models of its anti-inflammatory effects provide reference points and guidance for further research and development of TCM. Importantly, the research clearly confirms that TCM is now and will continue to be an effective form of treatment for many types of inflammation and inflammation-related diseases.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory effect; inflammation and related diseases; the classical mechanisms; the experimental models; traditional Chinese medicine.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Models, Theoretical

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal