Changes in Chemical Constituents and Kidney-Yang Tonifying of Traditional Herbs After Processing: A Brief Review

Abstract

Background Kidney-Yang deficiency is one of the common medical syndromes in traditional medicine, characterized by symptoms such as weakness, coldness in the lower back and knees, cold, fatigue, etc. In clinical practice, Yang tonifying medicines are often used to treat patients with Kidney-Yang deficiency. Moreover, the medicinal processing method according to the principles of traditional medicine can enhance the effects on the Kidney of these herbs. This brief overview aims to gather and assess the post-processing modifications to the chemical composition and the kidney-Yang tonifying effects of specific traditional herbal remedies. Methodology Firstly, all kidney-Yang tonifying herbs were collected. Next, the selection was made based on the herbs with processing procedures specified in Circular 30/2017/TT-BYT issued by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health. All studies on the chemical composition and/or effects of processed drugs were searched in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using the search formula: processed + scientific name of herbal medicine. Finally, among the studies on the changes in effects after processing, only studies on the tonifying Yang effect were included in this review. Results The kidney Yang-nourishing effects of the five traditional herbal medicines prescribed in Circular 30/2017/TT-BYT by the Ministry of Health of Vietnam (Radix Morindae officinalis, Cortex Eucommiae, Herba Cistanches, Semen Cuscutae, and Radix Dipsaci) have been demonstrated through several studies and summarized. From the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, 25 studies were collected for the review. Additionally, the changes in composition and content of certain active compounds in these herbal medicines have also been searched and reported. Conclusion This report provides a brief overview of the differences between chemical constituents and kidney-Yang tonifying of some traditional herbs after processing to partially contribute scientific evidence for standardizing the preparation processes and serve as an important reference for clinical practitioners of traditional medicine.