Ancient Chinese Herb Chang Shan Reveals New Autoimmune Disease Treatments

Secrets of Ancient Chinese Remedy Revealed

The root extract known as chang shan, a 2000-year-old herb used by Chinese herbalists to treat malaria from the hydrangea species found in Tibet and Nepal, might have potential applications for treating numerous autoimmune disorders. A new study conducted by researchers at Harvard School of Dental Medicine recently unveiled the underlying mechanism behind this ancient remedy's effectiveness.

The researchers discovered that halofuginone HF, a compound derived from chang shan's bioactive ingredient, inhibits the development of harmful immune cells known as Th17 cells - associated with various autoimmune disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and psoriasis.

By preventing autoimmune responses without compromising overall immunity, says Malcolm Whitman, professor of developmental biology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and senior author on the study. This compound could pave the way for innovative therapies targeting a variety of autoimmune diseases.

Tracy Keller, first author on the paper and an instructor in Whitman's lab adds, Our findings illuminate the molecular mechanisms behind traditional herbal medicine and offer new insights into physiological regulation as well as potential treatments for diseases.

The interdisciplinary team at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and elsewhere found that HF triggers a stress-response pathway which subsequently blocks Th17 cell development. Prior studies indicated that HF can reduce tissue scarring, symptoms of conditions like scleroderma a skin tightening condition, multiple sclerosis, scarring, and even cancer progression.

In their 2009 research, Keller and colleagues demonstrated that HF protected agnst harmful Th17 cells without affecting other beneficial immune cells. The researchers found that tiny doses of HF reduced multiple sclerosis in a mouse model. Notably, this was one of the arsenal of drugs developed to selectively inhibit autoimmune pathology while avoiding global suppression of the immune system.

Furth analysis showed that HF influenced genes involved in the newly discovered amino acid response pathway AAR during its action. Scientists recently recognized the role of nutrient sensing-AAR pathway in immune regulation and metabolic signaling, as well as evidence suggesting it could ext life span and alleviate age-related inflammatory diseases in animal studies on caloric restriction.

The AAR pathway seems like an intriguing target for drug development, Whitman notes, Halofuginone holds promise not only for its therapeutic potential but also as a valuable tool to explore the AAR pathway.

Funding for this research comes from the National Institutes of Health and Harvard Technology Accelerator Award.

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