中药对衰老相关性疾病DNA甲基化的作用

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine on DNA methylation in aging related diseases

DNA甲基化是表观遗传修饰的一种重要形式,在细胞分化、胚胎发育和环境适应上发挥重要作用,并且与许多疾病的发生密切相关。近30年来,关于DNA甲基化与衰老相关性疾病关系的大量研究揭示了基因组整体甲基化水平及特定基因甲基化异常是衰老相关性疾病发生发展的一个重要因素。中药在治疗衰老相关性疾病上有着较为丰富的理论和经验。与化学药物相比,中药具有多途径、多方式、多靶点的作用优势。随着中医药现代研究的不断深入,关于中药对表观遗传修饰,特别是对DNA甲基化的作用正日益受到重视,研究表明某些中药复方及单体对衰老相关疾病的异常甲基化具有一定调整作用。本文综述了中药对衰老相关性疾病(肿瘤、糖尿病、动脉粥样硬化和神经退行性疾病)DNA甲基化作用的研究进展。DNA甲基化的研究有助于衰老相关疾病发病机制、疾病风险评估及发现早期诊断的新的分子标志物,同时还能为疾病治疗提供新的治疗途径。中药资源丰富,是研究开发DNA甲基化调节药物的重要资源库。

DNA methylation is an important form of epigenetic modification, which plays important roles in many biological processes. Numbers of studies have revealed that abnormal methylation of global genome and specific genes are important factors in the occurrence and development of aging related diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） has a wealth of experience in the treatment of aging-related diseases. With the development of modern research , the role of TCM on epigenetic modification, especially DNA methylation, is being paid more and more attention. This article reviews the research progress of the effect of TCM on DNA methylation in aging related diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. The study of DNA methylation may contribute to the pathogenesis of aging related diseases, the discovery of new molecular markers for early diagnosis, and new therapeutic approaches to treatments of diseases. TCM is rich in resources, and it is an important resource pool for the development of DNA methylation regulating drugs.