中国传统医学延缓衰老的研究进展

Research progress of Chinese traditional medicine in delaying aging

衰老是在细胞和机体水平发生的复杂的、渐进的功能退化的过程、也是许多常见疾病发生发展的主要危险因素。衰老过程受到基因组稳定性、端粒维持、表观遗传调控、代谢途径、线粒体功能、蛋白质稳态和细胞周期完整性、干细胞再生能力等影响,而这些机制在调控衰老过程中存在广泛的联系,其中任何一个因素破坏会诱发其他缺陷,扰乱细胞稳态,促进衰老和相关疾病的发生。中国传统医学在延缓衰老领域有着独特的理论和丰富的实践经验,探讨传统医学理论及方药结合现代分子机制延缓衰老的研究进展,将有助于对衰老过程的理解,防治衰老相关疾病。

Aging is a complex,progressive process of functional degradation at cellular and organismal levels.It is also the predominant risk factor for the development and progression of many common diseases.The aging process is influenced by genomic instability,telomere maintenance,epigenetic regulation,metabolic pathways,mitochondrial function,protein homeostasis,cell cycle integrity and stem cell regenerative capacity.There is a wide range of connections among these mechanisms in regulating the process of aging.Destruction of any one of these factors can induce other defects,disrupt cell homeostasis,and promote aging and related diseases.Chinese traditional medicine has a unique theory and rich practical experience in the field of delaying aging.Exploring the research progress of delaying aging by combining traditional medical theory with modern molecular mechanism will help us understand the aging process and prevent and cure aging-related disease.