The effects of traditional Chinese medicine on growth factors

Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which have potent clinical therapeutic efficacy, are commonly used in treating various diseases in China. The TCM include not only the single bioactive molecules like tanshinone, salvianolic acid and curcumin, but also those Chinese herbal formulas. In the past decades, the researchers keep working on the scientific basis of these herbs. Clearly, TCM herbs hit diverse biological targets associated with multiple diseases. Growth factors including VEGFs, FGFs, PDGFs are a class of biological targets in human bodies, which play vital roles in many physiological processes. A number of studies demonstrated either inhibiting or enhancing effects of the TCM on growth factors-triggered biological activities. Objective Herein, we review the effects of TCM on growth factors, attempting to explore the roles of TCM in regulating the functions of growth factors. Methods To review the effects of TCM on growth factors, we focused on studies involved in the therapeutic use and pharmacological activity of TCM and performed a comprehensive search of several scientific databases using various relevant keywords. Some inclusion and exclusion criteria were strictly followed to obtain the most relevant articles. Results This review screened 289 papers, of which 93 provided in-depth analyses of TCM and growth factors, focusing on the effects of TCM targeting growth factors on inflammation, Alzheimer's disease, tumor growth, and liver fibrosis. In addition, development of dressings or patches combining TCM and growth factors to enhance the activity of growth factors in clinic usage is also discussed. Conclusions These findings indicate that various TCM extracts, including polysaccharides, and TCM formulations play potentially beneficial roles, through effects on the growth factors in the treatment of a range of diseases and can be used to treat inflammation and other diseases.