Pharmacological Activities of Sijunzi Decoction Which Are Related to Its Antioxidant Properties

Lei Ye,Yonghua Wang,Xiling Sun,Jianwei Gong

doi:10.1155/2014/278318

Abstract

This paper introduces the antioxidant constituents and pharmacological effects of Sijunzi decoction by looking up literatures in recent years. Sijunzi decoction is composed of Ginseng, Atractylodes, Tuckahoe, and Glycyrrhiza. The antioxidant ingredients of Sijunzi decoction include paeonol, dauricine, naringin, and isoliquiritigenin. The study has proved that it possesses wide pharmacological effects of anticardiovascular diseases, antinervous system disease, antidiabetes, antimetabolic syndrome, and antitumor. Research on the antioxidant components of Sijunzi decoction and their targets is a promising study area in the future.

Highlights

Phagocytic cells release a significant amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through respiratory burst under the stimulus of pathogenic microorganisms when “spleen qi deficiency” occurs, which is often associated with gastrointestinal inflammation
Studies have shown that Sijunzi decoction has evident antioxidant effects [1] and can eliminate or reduce biological membrane lipid peroxidation caused by free radicals [2]
Dauricine is derived from ginseng and has cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury protection effect, which may be related to its inhibition of neuron apoptosis [22]

Summary

Introduction

Phagocytic cells release a significant amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through respiratory burst under the stimulus of pathogenic microorganisms when “spleen qi deficiency” occurs, which is often associated with gastrointestinal inflammation. Through NADPH oxidation, ROS can cause oxidative damage and further aggravate the inflammation. Studies have shown that Sijunzi decoction has evident antioxidant effects [1] and can eliminate or reduce biological membrane lipid peroxidation caused by free radicals [2]. Sijunzi decoction can increase superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduce MDA generation to speed up the elimination of free radicals and other harmful substances to protect biological macromolecules from damage and improve the DNA repair. Sijunzi decoction has an antioxidant effect because it contains a wide variety of free radical scavenging molecules. These antioxidant compounds possess anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerotic, antitumor, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, or antibacterial properties. The antioxidants derived from Sijunzi decoction are summarized in this study.

The Role of Antioxidants from Sijunzi Decoction

Conflict of Interests

Conclusion