Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful and promising alternative strategy for treatment of Sjogren's syndrome: A review

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease involving exocrine glands. Current studies have found that the occurrence of the disease is closely related to genetic, environmental and neuroendocrine factors, as well as abnormal activation of T and B lymphocytes. The etiology and pathogenesis of pSS is complex, and there is a lack of specific targeted drugs. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been comprehensively investigated for their treatment effects on pSS. Through a systematic review of the literature, we summarized the TCMs used to treat pSS, and find that there are four major ways that TCMs are used, including upregulation of aquaporin proteins, suppression of cell apoptosis, suppression of the abnormal activation of B lymphocytes and suppression of the abnormal activation of T lymphocytes (balancing T helper type [Th]1/Th2 & Th17/Treg and suppressing follicular helper T [Tfh] cells). However, there are not enough data about the active constituents, quality control, pharmacokinetics, toxicity and modern preparations of these TCMs; therefore, more investigations are needed. This paper highlights the importance of TCMs for treating pSS and provides guidance for future investigations. Please cite this article as: Wei SJ, He QM, Zhang Q, Fu KH, Li RL, Peng W, Gao YX. Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful and promising alternative strategy for treatment of Sjogren's syndrome: A review. J Integr Med. 2021; 19(3): 191-202. (C) 2021 Shanghai Changhai Hospital. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Primary Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease involving exocrine glands, and traditional Chinese medicines have been investigated for their treatment effects on this syndrome. These medicines are used in various ways, such as upregulation of aquaporin proteins, suppression of cell apoptosis, and suppression of abnormal activation of T and B lymphocytes. However, more research is needed on the active constituents, quality control, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and modern preparations of these traditional Chinese medicines.