Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful and promising alternative strategy for treatment of Sjogren's syndrome: A review.
10.1016/j.joim.2021.01.008
- Author:
Shu-Jun WEI
1
;
Qing-Man HE
2
;
Qing ZHANG
3
;
Kang-Hua FU
2
;
Ruo-Lan LI
3
;
Wei PENG
4
;
Yong-Xiang GAO
5
Author Information
1. School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan Province, China.
2. Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, Sichuan Province, China.
3. School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan Province, China.
4. School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611130, Sichuan Province, China. Electronic address: pengwei@cdutcm.edu.cn.
5. International Education College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China. Electronic address: drgaoyx@cdutcm.edu.cn.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Alternative and complementary medicine;
Autoimmune diseases;
Primary Sjogren’s syndrome;
Traditional Chinese medicine
- From:
Journal of Integrative Medicine
2021;19(3):191-202
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease involving exocrine glands. Current studies have found that the occurrence of the disease is closely related to genetic, environmental and neuroendocrine factors, as well as abnormal activation of T and B lymphocytes. The etiology and pathogenesis of pSS is complex, and there is a lack of specific targeted drugs. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been comprehensively investigated for their treatment effects on pSS. Through a systematic review of the literature, we summarized the TCMs used to treat pSS, and find that there are four major ways that TCMs are used, including upregulation of aquaporin proteins, suppression of cell apoptosis, suppression of the abnormal activation of B lymphocytes and suppression of the abnormal activation of T lymphocytes (balancing T helper type [Th]1/Th2 & Th17/Treg and suppressing follicular helper T [Tfh] cells). However, there are not enough data about the active constituents, quality control, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and modern preparations of these TCMs; therefore, more investigations are needed. This paper highlights the importance of TCMs for treating pSS and provides guidance for future investigations.
