Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Angelicae Sinensis Radix： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Angelicae Sinensis Radix， derived from a medicinal and edible plant Angelica sinensis， is one of the traditional bulk Chinese medicines. In addition to gynecological blood stagnation and deficiency， its indications also include dysmenorrhea， deficiency and cold-induced abdominal pain， and rheumatoid arthritis. With the in-depth study of Angelicae Sinensis Radix， its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities have attracted widespread attention. However， there has been no systemic report. The present study comprehensively reviewed the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Angelicae Sinensis Radix （including its compositions， extracts， and different processed products） and mechanisms published in recent 30 years. The anti-inflammatory effect of Angelicae Sinensis Radix was achieved mainly by blocking the expression of proteins and genes in nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， mitogen-activated protein kinases （MAPK）， and Janus kinase （JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT） signaling pathways， inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， nitric oxide （NO）， prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） and IL-1β， and maintaining the high sensitivity of immune cells in the host to external stimuli. The mechanism of analgesic effect may be related to the suppression of the production of algesic substances （such as inflammatory factors and chemokines） or blocking of the amplification and transmission of pain perception in cascade reaction. Furthermore， the study also pointed out some problems in modern research and proposed suggestions on its future research to provide references for investigation and clinical applications of Angelicae Sinensis Radix.