Enhancement of ATP generation capacity, antioxidant activity and immunomodulatory activities by Chinese Yang and Yin herbs
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.
Kam Ming Kocorresponding author1 and Hoi Yan Leung1
1Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
