The Effect of TCM Herbs on Mitochondrial Functions: The Linkage between Qi and Mitochondria

Yu Chen,Wenjun Wang,Mengmei Li,Qian Feng,Jie Teng,Lin Wang,Zhongzhen Cai,Yanjie Chen,Bruce Qing Tang,Yuming Chen,Glen Rein,Xuemei Bai

doi:10.4236/cm.2020.114008

Abstract

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 (Astragali radix, Herba cistanche, Panax ginseng) were used to treat cultured mouse kidney cells and the generation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was measured. The Qi-invigorating herb, Astragali radix, was selected for further study using additional biological and molecular parameters, including ATP, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mtDNA copies, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), cell growth, cell viability and transcriptomes. We also chose two concentrations of Astragali radix 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 levels being reduced, allowing for a more optimal oxidation environment. The effect of the herbs followed a hormetic curve with a stimulating effect at lower doses but an inhibiting effect at high doses; 2) The growth of the cells was not affected despite numerous biochemical changes associated with mitochondrial 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.

Highlights

As mankind is facing more and more challenges of different types of diseases, it calls on all medical knowledge accumulated throughout human history to combat current epidemics
The effect of the herbs followed a hormetic curve with a stimulating effect at lower doses but an inhibiting effect at high doses; 2) The growth of the cells was not affected despite numerous biochemical changes associated with mitochondrial 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
As the concentration of the extracted Astragali radix and Herba cistanche increased from 12.5 - 100 μg/mL, the total ATP content of M-1 cells increased and was significantly higher than that of the control, and dropped back to the same level as control at the high concentration of 200 μg/mL (upper panels of Figure 1(A) and Figure 1(B)); for Panax ginseng, as the concentration increased from 12.5 - 200 μg/mL, ATP levels gradually increased, peaked at the concentration of 25 μg/mL, decreased to a level that’s significantly lower than the control at the high concentration of 200 μg/mL (upper panel of Figure 1(C))

Summary

Introduction

As mankind is facing more and more challenges of different types of diseases, it calls on all medical knowledge accumulated throughout human history to combat current epidemics. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and western medicine are two very different systems and the integration of these two systems will help advance contemporary medical practices to better address these challenges. Mitochondria are considered to be the engine of life with the main function of providing ATP for cellular activities through oxidative phosphorylation [2]. Qi in the TCM system and mitochondria in modern medicine system play similar roles in providing power for cells and promoting the transformation of material and energy [3], and a connection between the mitochondria and Qi has been suggested [4] [5] [6]. Many researchers have proposed that there is a great deal of similarity in their characteristics and functions between Qi and mitochondria [7] [8] [9]

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Discussion

Conclusion