Modern biological thinking about visceral manifestation theory on lung governing ascent and pharmacodynamic substance based on adrenergic receptor / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Visceral manifestation theory is that lung dominates Qi, breath, and governs ascent and dispersion. How to combine the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the modern physiology and pathology in modern scientific interpretation has been the focus of attention. Previous study found that most of the ventilating lung and releasing exterior drugs contained the pharmacodynamic substance related to adrenergic receptor (AR) signal transduction. The connotation of "lung governing ascent", such as controlling breath movement, transferring nutrients, spreading heat to regulate temperature, helping the heart to control blood circulation, coincided with the physiological function of the organ dominated by the AR-regulated sympathetic postganglionic fibers. Therefore, the hypothesis of "lung governing ascent" is closely related to AR pathway signal transduction. The correlation between the molecular mechanism of the modern physiology and pathology and pharmacodynamic substance basis was evaluated and expounded by the deduction of pulmonary modern biological theory based on ventilating lung and releasing exterior in this paper. So the guidance on the theory of visceral manifestation in TCM for the research and development of modern drugs should be expected fully. Ultimately, the application of lung governing ascent principle will be a profound meaning to guide the prevention and clinical treatment for a variety of refractory diseases caused by the change of environment, climate or lifestyle.