Application of Chinese herbal medicines to revitalize adult stem cells for tissue regeneration

Chin J Integr Med. 2012 Dec;18(12):903-8. doi: 10.1007/s11655-012-1293-3. Epub 2012 Dec 13.

Abstract

It has been established in the recent several decades that adult stem cells play a crucial role in tissue renewal and regeneration. Adult stem cells locate in certain organs can differentiate into functional entities such as macrophages and bone cells. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are two of the most important populations of adult stem cells. The application of these stem cells offers a new insight in treating various pathological conditions, through replenishing cells of specific functions by turning on or off the differentiating program within quiescent stem cell niches. Apart from that, they are also capable to travel through the circulation, migrate to injury sites and differentiate to enhance regeneration process. Recently, Chinese medicine (CM) has shown to be potential candidates to activate adult stem cells for tissue regeneration. This review summarizes our own, as well as others' findings concerning the use of Chinese herbal medicine in the regulation processes of adult stem cells differentiation and their movement in tissue repair and rejuvenation. A number of Chinese herbs are used as therapeutic agents and presumably preventive agents on metabolic disorders. In our opinion, the activation of adult stem cells self-regeneration not only provides a novel way to repair tissue damage, but also reduces the use of targeted drug that adversely altering the normal metabolism of human subjects.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Herbal Medicine*
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional*
  • Regeneration*
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Tissue Engineering*