Enhancement of ATP generation capacity, antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory activities by Chinese Yang and Yin tonifying h

Kam Ming Ko and Hoi Yan Leung Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China

Abstract

Chinese tonifying herbs such as Herba Cistanche, Ganoderma and Cordyceps, which possess antioxidant and/or immunomodulatory activities, can be useful in the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases. Pharmacological studies on Yang and Yin tonifying herbs suggest that Yang tonifying herbs stimulate mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation, presumably through the intermediacy of reactive oxidant species, leading to the enhancement of cellular/mitochondrial antioxidant status. Yin tonifying herbs, however, apart from possessing antioxidant properties, exert mainly immunomodulatory functions that may boost a weak immune system and may also suppress overreactive immune responses. The abilities of Yang and Yin Chinese tonifying herbs to enhance ATP generation and to exhibit antioxidant and/or immunomodulatory actions are the pharmacological basis for their beneficial effects on the retardation of aging.

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Conclusion

Yang tonifying herbs stimulate mitochondrial ATP generation, leading to the enhancement of cellular/mitochondrial antioxidant status, presumably through the intermediacy of ROS. Yin tonifying herbs, which also possess antioxidant properties, are mainly immunomodulatory, thereby boosting weak immune functions and suppressing overreactive or unbalanced immune responses. Cordyceps, highly regarded as a tonifying herb with a dual action of Yin and Yang, stimulates mitochondrial ATP generation and enhances cellular immune responses. Given that impairment in mitochondrial functional ability and antioxidant status, and a decline in immunocompetence, are believed to be critically involved in the development of age-related diseases and the aging process, the abilities of Yang and Yin tonifying herbs to enhance ATP generation capacity and to produce antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions are beneficial for safeguarding health and delaying the onset of senility (Figure 1). While animal models may be used for testing working hypotheses on Yang and Yin tonifying actions, clinical studies, using Yang and Yin tonifying herbs and/or defined chemicals isolated from the herbs or synthesized in the laboratory, on age-related variations in antioxidant and immune function, would be of considerable value.

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.cmjournal.org/content/2/1/3