Traditional Chinese medicine herbs that target neutrophil traps to combat thrombosis
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 06, 2024 1 week, 3 days, 3 hours, 41 minutes ago
TCM News: Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine and the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine-China have made promising discoveries based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) remedies that could revolutionize thrombosis treatment. Thrombosis, the formation of harmful blood clots within blood vessels, is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases and death. However, this
TCM News report focuses on the role of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, in thrombosis, specifically the formation of Neutrophils' Extracellular Traps (NETs). This study highlights the potential of traditional Chinese herbal medicines to combat thrombosis by targeting NETs.
Traditional Chinese medicine herbs that target neutrophil traps to combat thrombosis
Understanding the Role of Neutrophils in Thrombosis
Neutrophils play a critical role in our immune response, especially in the early stages of infection. They produce NETs, web-like structures of DNA and proteins, to trap and kill pathogens. However, when the production of NETs goes awry, it can lead to the formation of blood clots, which obstruct blood vessels and cause conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and deep vein thrombosis. Traditional treatments for thrombosis focus on dissolving blood clots but carry risks of excessive bleeding. Researchers are now exploring natural, less risky alternatives to inhibit the harmful effects of NETs.
Natural Products as Potential Treatments
A key finding of the research is that natural products derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) show promise in mitigating the harmful effects of NETs. These herbs have demonstrated the ability to inhibit excessive NET formation, promote their degradation, and reduce the inflammatory responses caused by NETs.
Promising Natural Remedies
The research focused on several herbal compounds, such as glycyrrhizin from licorice and berberine, which have been shown to directly impact the formation and breakdown of NETs. For instance, glycyrrhizin has the ability to bind to high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a protein released during inflammation that triggers NET formation. By reducing HMGB1, glycyrrhizin helps decrease harmful NET production. Similarly, berberine, another powerful compound, has shown promise in inhibiting the pathways that lead to NET formation, further lowering the risk of thrombosis.
These findings point toward a future where herbal treatments could be used alongside or instead of conventional thrombosis treatments, offering a lower risk of side effects like excessive bleeding.
Detailed Study Insights
This study goes beyond identifying individual herbs and takes a deep dive into the mechanisms behind their anti-thrombotic effects. For example, glycyrrhizin was found to block specific proteins involved in the immune response, thereby reducing inflammation and limiting NET formation. The researchers also explor
ed the molecular pathways affected by these herbs, identifying how they prevent immune cells from overproducing NETs.
Additionally, berberine was shown to have an impact on blood vessel function, helping to improve circulation and prevent clot formation. The combination of these natural compounds' ability to lower inflammation, regulate immune function, and protect blood vessels provides a strong case for their use as anti-thrombotic agents.
Traditional Medicine Meets Modern Science
This research highlights the effectiveness of traditional Chinese herbal medicines in targeting modern health problems. The compounds studied are derived from plants used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. By combining this ancient wisdom with modern scientific techniques, researchers can better understand how these natural remedies work at a molecular level and harness their potential for treating serious conditions like thrombosis.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Safer Thrombosis Treatments
The study underscores the need for new and safer thrombosis treatments. The use of natural compounds that target NETs could offer a way to treat thrombosis without the high risk of bleeding associated with current therapies. This is especially important for patients who are prone to clotting disorders and cannot safely take blood thinners.
The potential for traditional Chinese herbal medicines to play a role in preventing and treating thrombosis is significant. This research lays the groundwork for future studies and clinical trials that could lead to the development of new, effective, and safer treatments for blood clots.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332224011946
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