Integrating Traditional Medicine into Modern Inflammatory Diseases Care: Multitargeting by <i>Rhus verniciflua</i> Stokes

Kim, Ji Hye; Shin, Yong Cheol; Ko, Seong-Gyu

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/154561

Mediators of Inflammation

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Review Article | Open Access

Volume 2014 | Article ID 154561 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/154561

Integrating Traditional Medicine into Modern Inflammatory Diseases Care: Multitargeting by Rhus verniciflua Stokes

Ji Hye Kim,¹Yong Cheol Shin,¹and Seong-Gyu Ko¹

Academic Editor: KyungHyun Kim

Received17 Feb 2014

Revised03 Apr 2014

Accepted03 Apr 2014

Published12 Jun 2014

Abstract

Despite the fact that numerous researches were performed on prevention and treatment of inflammation related diseases, the overall incidence has not changed remarkably. This requires new approaches to overcome inflammation mediated diseases, and thus traditional medicine could be an efficacious source for prevention and treatment of these diseases. In this review, we discuss the contribution of traditional medicine, especially Rhus verniciflua Stokes, to modern medicine against diverse inflammation mediated diseases. Traditionally, this remedy has been used in Eastern Asia for the treatment of gastric problems, hepatic disorders, infectious diseases, and blood disorders. Modern science has provided the scientific basis for the use of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against such disorders and diseases. Various chemical constituents have been identified from this plant, including phenolic acid, and flavonoids. Cell-based studies have exhibited the potential of this as antibacterial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, growth inhibitory, and anticancer activities. Enormous animal studies have shown the potential of this against proinflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, liver diseases, and chemical insults. At the molecular level, this medicinal plant has been shown to modulate diverse cell-signaling pathways. In clinical studies, Rhus verniciflua Stokes has shown efficacy against various cancer patients such as colorectal, gastric, hepatic, renal, pancreatic, and pulmonary cancers. Thus, this remedy is now exhibiting activities in the clinic.

1. Introduction

Inflammation is an essential part of the body’s natural responses against harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, toxin, damaged cells, irritants, stress, or injury. Initially, although the symptoms of acute inflammation are unpleasant, they are absolutely necessary for the healing processes. However, sometimes inflammation can cause further inflammation (chronic inflammation), which can last for several months and even years. It can result from failure to eliminate an acute inflammation, an autoimmune response to a self-antigen. Chronic inflammation can eventually cause several diseases and conditions, including some cancers, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, periodontitis, ischemic heart disease, and ulcerative colitis. Therefore, inflammation needs to be well regulated [1].

Traditional medicine is a part of traditional East Asian medical systems and has been used for treating various kinds of diseases including cancer for thousands of years, and, recently, increasing emphasis has been focused on the research on traditional medicine. Particularly, many herbs and medicinal plants have been reported to prevent and inhibit various kinds of diseases [2, 3]. Many traditional medicines and their natural products in eastern countries are relatively low priced, are efficacious resources for new drug discovery, and show very little adverse effects identified in clinical research. One of the remedies is Toxicodendron vernicifluum, formerly Rhus verniciflua Stokes, which has been used for thousands of years, mostly in Asian countries. Rhus verniciflua Stokes is an Asian tree species of genus Toxicodendron, which belongs to Anacardiaceae family, and is cultivated in regions of China, Korea, and Japan [4]. Rhus verniciflua Stokes has a long tradition of use in Eastern Asian medical systems. This remedy has been used for enormous purposes since ancient times. In Korea, Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been used as an herbal therapy for the treatment of abdominal masses since the 15th century AD [5]. This was used to relieve stomach problems and liver detoxification and to stop bleeding and cough. It also has been used for digestive problems such as gastritis, helping to break up blood stasis, and purging hardness. It also helps to relieve pain. Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been used as a food additive as well. However, scientific evidence proving these health benefits of Rhus verniciflua Stokes is lacking. In vitro studies of this remedy have shown potential of antibacterial, antimicrobial, antirheumatoid, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antigrowth, neuroprotective, antiplatelet aggregation, and anticancer activities (Figure 1). In in vivo studies, this remedy exhibits activities against inflammatory conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, liver problem, diabetes, arthritis, and atherosclerosis. It has also been shown to protect from numerous chemical insults. Some clinical researches have already evaluated the safety and efficacy of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against cancer patients. In the following sections, we provide the evidence for the biological activities of Rhus verniciflua Stokes from preclinical studies. The common chemical entities isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes are also discussed.

2. Preclinical Studies with Rhus verniciflua Stokes

Numerous researches from both in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated the activities of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against numerous diseases. In this section, we provide evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies for the biological activities of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (Tables 1 and 3).

2.1. Cell-Based Studies

2.1.1. Antibacterial Activity

Rhus verniciflua Stokes possesses antibacterial activity. In one study, antibacterial activity of the urushiol, major component of the remedy against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), was investigated. All 3 strains, H. pylori NCTC 11637, H. pylori 69, and H. pylori 219, survived within pH 6.0–9.0. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the extract against strains ranged 0.064–0.256 mg/mL [6].

2.1.2. Anticancer Activity

Carcinogenesis is a multistep process involving the transformation, survival, proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of the tumor and may take over 30 years [40]. Modern science has defined that cancer is a hyperproliferative disorder that involves sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion and metastasis, and enabling replicative immortality [41]. Extensive research has also demonstrated the biology of cancer. Biological cancer target therapy is those cell signaling pathways, including survival signaling (e.g., phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases- (PI3K-) Akt/protein kinase B (PKB)); cell cycle proteins (e.g., p53, cyclins, and cell cycle dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs)); angiogenesis (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)); and antiapoptosis (e.g., B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-extra large (bcl-X_L), X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), survivin, and FLICE-like inhibitory protein (FLIP)) [2].

Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been most widely investigated for its anticancer activity. The most common cancer types in which Rhus verniciflua Stokes has shown potential are those of the liver, blood, breast, bone, and stomach (Table 1). In stomach carcinoma cell model, an ethanol extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes significantly inhibited G₁ cell cycle progression via CDKI upregulation and induced mitochondrial apoptosis through the increment of Bax expression, the inhibition of Bcl-2 expression, the release of cytochrome c, and the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 cascade, and this mechanism by Rhus verniciflua Stokes was an enhanced inhibition of the PI3K-Akt/PKB survival pathway [11, 13]. One study concluded that an ethanol extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes has the potential to induce apoptosis, based on the increase in DNA fragmentation in human B and T lymphoma cell lines, BJAB, and Jurkat [8]. The anticancer activity of Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been shown in human osteosarcoma cells as well. One study investigated the apoptotic effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes chloroform-methanol fraction from an acetone extract (RCMF) on human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells [9]. PARP cleavage was closely associated with the RCMF-induced apoptosis in HOS cells. Furthermore, the activation of caspase-8 and Bax, the inhibition of Bcl-2 expression, and the release of cytochrome are shown to be involved in the RCMF-mediated apoptosis. Some other studies using cell line model have also shown the potential of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against various kinds of cancers [14]. Interestingly, among the 4 fractions: diethyl ether, ethyl-acetate (EtOAC), butanol, and water fraction, the EtOAC fraction from Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract contained highly concentrated phenolic compounds, had the most cytotoxic effect in gastric, breast, liver, lung and colon cancer, particularly effective against gastric and breast cancer cells. As well as the EtOAC fraction showed a stronger apoptotic effect on these cells.

2.1.3. Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Chronic inflammation has been associated with numerous human chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, autoimmune, and degenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes [42]. Many researchers have reported that Rhus verniciflua Stokes possesses an anti-inflammatory effect by modulating the expression of proinflammatory mediators. For example, Rhus verniciflua Stokes exhibited anti-inflammatory activity during endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infection in Raw264.7 macrophage [17–19, 22]. Raw264.7 macrophage is a well-characterized inflammatory model induced by LPS. Rhus verniciflua Stokes showed its activity by suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, which results in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production. All researches studied different kinds of extraction or fractionation methods; for instance, the Jung et al. group used 80% ethanol Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract without nonionic compounds, the Oh et al. group used water extract, another Jung group used n-butanol fraction from 80% ethanol Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract, and the other group used crude 80% ethanol Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract, but the results showed the same effect. Early allergic inflammation is one of the more prominent inflammatory responses and is characterized by the release of histamine and mast cell granule proteins by degranulation, as well as the production of leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and cytokines [43]. One study evaluated the effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187-induced mast cell activation [20]. The treatment of Rhus verniciflua Stokes significantly modulated the expressions of signal molecules related to allergic inflammatory responses via the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) signaling pathway and inhibited the expressions of inflammation related cytokines—[tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8] that were stimulated by the treatment with both PMA and A23187. Rhus verniciflua Stokes inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor- (NF-) κB via inhibition of the phosphorylation of IkB-α, which are important processes in controlling inflammatory responses as well. Some of the other cancer types in which Rhus verniciflua Stokes has shown anti-inflammatory activities are listed in Table 1. In addition, inflammatory gene products and mechanism regulated by Rhus verniciflua Stokes on inflammation are listed in Table 2 specifically.

2.1.4. Growth Inhibitory Effects

Many studies have indicated the growth inhibitory effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against numerous cancer cells. For instance, Rhus verniciflua Stokes inhibited the growth of cell proliferation in HeLa (cervical) and CT-26 (colorectal) tumor cells [7]. One study investigated the cytotoxic effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes in human B, BJAB, and T lymphoma cell lines, Jurkat [8, 15]. Rhus verniciflua Stokes was highly cytotoxic to exhibit sensitive growth inhibition in human osteosarcoma cells as well [9]. In another study, Rhus verniciflua Stokes exhibited a selective growth inhibition on SV40-mediated transformed embryonic hepatic cells [10]. Rhus verniciflua Stokes showed a synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth in gastric cancer cells at 50 μg/mL [11]. Another study evaluated Rhus verniciflua Stokes inhibition of the clonogenic growth of small numbers of UACC-812 breast cancer cells cocultured with fibroblasts in vitro [16]. The extract exhibited the potent cytotoxic effects against mouse macrophage cell proliferation [17].

2.1.5. Antioxidant Activity

Rhus verniciflua Stokes acts as a free radical scavenger in a number of in vitro studies (Table 1). In one study, Rhus verniciflua Stokes exhibited the antioxidant activity in both aqueous and lipid in vitro oxidation reactions using 1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, site-specific Fenton-reaction deoxyribose, and a model lipid emulsion test system against hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. In the cultured mouse brain, neurons were protected against glucose oxidase-induced hydroxyl radical in the presence of the fractionated Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract (e.g., 58% protection at 4.9 uM) [7]. The antioxidant activity of Rhus verniciflua Stokes is supported by results from other in vitro assays as well [25, 26]. In macrophage Raw264.7 cell and human keratinocytes model, Rhus verniciflua Stokes prevented the cell cytotoxicity of cells induced by H₂O₂, respectively, and exhibited antioxidant activities, such as DPPH, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities [28, 30].

2.1.6. Antiviral Activity

Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been shown to inhibit the growth of viruses. In one study, the remedy inhibited the growth of fish pathogenic infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) in flounder spleen (FSP) or chinook salmon embryo- (CHSE-) 214 cells system [31].

2.1.7. Neuroprotection Effects

Additionally, except for the activities discussed above, Rhus verniciflua Stokes exhibited numerous other neuroprotection activities by in vitro studies. For example, in one study, Rhus verniciflua Stokes protected the murine hippocampal HT22 cells against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity [32]. In another study, total extract from Rhus verniciflua Stokes protected dopaminergic neuronal cells in a rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) [33] and against 6-hydroxydopamine- (OHDA-) induced neuronal cell death of PD. In another study, Rhus verniciflua Stokes protected against rotenone-induced toxicity by preventing the downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in human dopaminergic cells, SH-SY5Y [35, 36].

2.1.8. Other Activities

In addition to the activities discussed above, Rhus verniciflua Stokes exhibited numerous other activities by in vitro studies. For example, in one study, Rhus verniciflua Stokes showed dose-dependent inhibitory activity towards adenosine diphosphate- (ADP-), collagen-, and arachidonic acid- (AA-) induced aggregation of human platelets [37]. In another study, total extract from Rhus verniciflua Stokes showed Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 (AKR1B10), which may be responsible for detoxification of reactive aldehydes, inhibitory activity [38]. Glycoprotein isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS glycoprotein) has an inhibitory activity of T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines (IL-4 and -10) in bisphenol A (BPA), one of the estrogen mimic environmental hormones-stimulated primary cultured mouse lymphocytes [39].

2.2. Animal-Based Studies

2.2.1. Antidiabetic Activity

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, and this disease increases the risk of long-term complications, and, therefore, it should be well regulated like inflammation. Rhus verniciflua Stokes has shown the potential against diabetes in many animal models. For instance, in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced rat model, Rhus verniciflua Stokes exhibited a decrease in blood glucose levels and blood thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations [44]. Another study examined the modulatory effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against hyperlipidemia in WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice model [45]. This remedy decreased plasma lipid levels (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) and inhibited the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase and the levels of TBARS.

2.2.2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Rhus verniciflua Stokes has exhibited the potential against proinflammation in animal models as well. For instance, this remedy reduced carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema [22]. In another study, this extract showed activities on vascular permeability, leukocyte migration, and cellular immunity and reduced the incidence and severity of collagen-induced arthritis model [23].

2.2.3. Antioxidative Effects

In addition to the activities discussed above, Rhus verniciflua Stokes exhibited antioxidative activities by in vivo studies. For example, Rhus verniciflua Stokes increased the activities of detoxicant enzymes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice [45].

2.2.4. Hepatoprotection Effects

Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been shown to suppress an aflatoxin B1- (AFB1-) induced increase in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prevent malondialdehyde (MDA) formation, and block decreases in glutathione levels and SOD in mouse model [46]. In another study, Rhus verniciflua Stokes protected from liver damage through inhibition of radical scavenging ability [47].

2.2.5. Protection from Chemical Insults

Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been shown to protect the normal cells, tissues, and organs against the damage caused by external insults. For instance, this remedy exhibited potential against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in animal model [29].

2.2.6. Activity against Neurodegenerative Diseases

The most common neurodegenerative disease in which Rhus verniciflua Stokes has shown potential is Parkinson’s disease (PD). Multiple pathways including oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage have been implicated in neurodegeneration during PD. One study evaluated the neuroprotective property of Rhus verniciflua Stokes increased in BDNF and GDNF protein levels, which are critical for the survival and function of developing and adult neurons, learning and memory, and synaptic plasticity, in the rat brain of PD model [35].

2.2.7. Other Activities

In addition to the activities indicated above, Rhus verniciflua Stokes modulated 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate- (TPA-) induced apoptosis, cytokine production, and T/B cell proliferation in mouse splenocytes [48]. This remedy also exhibited an antifibrogenic activity by inhibition of collagen accumulation and lipid peroxidation and by the downregulation of the expression of both α1(I) collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase- (TIMP-) 1 mRNA on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) in rat model [49].

3. Clinical Studies with Rhus verniciflua Stokes

Standard modern therapies for cancer treatment include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and palliative care. Cancer surgery still remains the foundation of treatment for cancer patients. However, patients with locally advanced disease such as gastric cancer showed high rates of locoregional or distant recurrence even after potentially curative surgery [104]. Standard chemotherapy and radiation therapy also have clinical limitation in efficacy with severe adverse effects and can act as secondary cancer promoters resulting in chemoresistant cancer cells [105, 106]. Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been tested for its potential in human subjects, with about a dozen studies completed to date. Most of these studies have indicated the safety and efficacy of Rhus verniciflua Stokes. The most promising effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes has been reported against cancer (Table 4). One study demonstrated that Rhus verniciflua Stokes can be administered safely to patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) at doses of 450 mg of Rhus verniciflua Stokes that was prescribed [50]. Ten among 36 patients were alive after treatment with 2.7 months (95% confidence interval, 1.9–3.5) median administration period, 10.9 months (95% confidence interval, 5.6–16.1) median overall survival (OS), and 44.4% 1-year survival rate. Although the effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes continued for several months, hematologic toxicity was not observed and minor adverse effects-mild pruritus and dyspepsia was reported in only 2 of the 36 patients. However, a large scale study is required to further confirm the efficacy and safety of Rhus verniciflua Stokes in mCRC patients and this study has the limitation that 44.4% of patients have chosen Rhus verniciflua Stokes as the complementary therapy with conventional treatment including chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In another study, Rhus verniciflua Stokes treatment was well tolerated in advanced pancreatic cancer patients for whom orthodox therapy is unavailable and might prolong overall survival either alone or in combination with chemotherapy [54]. Three out of 42 patients were alive with 3.86 months (95% confidence interval 2.52–5.20) mean administration period, 7.87 months (95% confidence interval 5.14–10.59) median overall survival, and 26.2% 1-year survival rate. Hematologic toxicity related to only Rhus verniciflua Stokes oral administration was not observed; minor nonhematologic adverse reactions were reported such as mild dyspepsia and pruritus in each patient with toxicity grade 1 pruritus and grade 2 pruritus, respectively. Gemcitabine has emerged as the standard chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer [107]. Many clinical trials have been performed to improve survival by comparing gemcitabine with other agents, either alone or in combination with gemcitabine [108, 109]. In this study, among the patients treated with Rhus verniciflua Stokes and concurrent chemotherapy, 19.0% of patients with grade 3 or 4 toxicity were required to discontinue gemcitabine treatment, all patients were not observed a synergistic effect of gemcitabine and Rhus verniciflua Stokes compared to alone. Although Rhus verniciflua Stokes oral administration was very tolerable, no specific drug interactions between Rhus verniciflua Stokes and chemotherapy agents were noted, but additional randomized and well-controlled clinical trials with larger number of patients are necessary to confirm its efficacy and safety in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

In addition to the clinical research indicated above, Rhus verniciflua Stokes has also been reported to have anticancer activity in various kinds of cancers including gastric, liver, lung, renal, and pulmonary. In the 82-year-old female gastric cancer patient case, orally administered Rhus verniciflua Stokes decreased the polypoid mass at the mid body and a slight decrease in the flat elevated lesion at the prepyloric antrum at 5 months after starting daily therapy with 900 mg [51]. Another 62-year-old Korean male patient with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation refractory to doxorubicin exhibited shrinkage of the lung metastasis, nonhematologic toxicity at 5 months after receiving Rhus verniciflua Stokes 3 times a day with 450 mg being orally administered [52]. Moreover, two case studies were reported against renal cancer in 2010 as well [53]. Of these, one case Rhus verniciflua Stokes three times in a day with 450 mg capsules for 4 months exhibited a complete response in all pulmonary metastases including resolution of right pulmonary artery thrombosis, and the other case showed reduction in the size of the metastatic masses in both adrenal glands at 9 months after receiving Rhus verniciflua Stokes 3 times a day with 450 mg capsules being orally administrated. Another study reported the case of a 52-year-old female who had been diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma with malignant pleural nodules [55]. The patient maintained good performance status with European Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 for 2 years after daily therapy (1,350 mg of orally administered Rhus verniciflua Stokes remedy without orthodox therapies) and no significant adverse effects. Orally administered Rhus verniciflua Stokes showed an obvious cytostatic effect and could increase the quantity of survival in pulmonary adenocarcinoma; however, further studies with larger populations are required to confirm the claims of the study.

4. Main Compounds from Rhus verniciflua Stokes

4.1. Chemical Composition of Rhus verniciflua Stokes

Rhus verniciflua Stokes is chemically diverse in composition. To date, around 40 compounds, primarily phenolic acids and flavonoids, have been identified from this remedy (Figure 2) [14, 18, 110]. Of these compounds, 3 are phenolic acid, 4 flavonols, 4 flavanonols, 3 flavones, 1 chalconoid, and 2 tannins. The most common constituents present in Rhus verniciflua Stokes are butein, which is a chalconoid having antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties, quercetin, which is a flavonol having antiviral, antiasthma, anticancer, antiprostatitis, and anti-inflammatory properties, and sulfuretin, which is a flavanonol possessing antioxidative, antidiabetes, anticancer, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. The chemical structure and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of some other compounds identified from Rhus verniciflua Stokes are shown in Figures 2 and 3 [14, 18].

(a)

(b)

Figure 3

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis of constituents identified from Rhus verniciflua Stokes. (a) HPLC chromatogram of standard compounds (upper) and purified Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract (lower) at 280 nm and 360 nm: 1: protocatechuic acid, 2: p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3: caffeic acid, 4: chlorogenic acid, 5: p-coumaric acid, 6: phloretin-2-O-glucoside, 7: fustin, 8: kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, 9: sulfuretin, 10: quercetin, 11: butein, and 12: kaempferol. (b) LC-MS chromatogram of phenolic-rich EtOAC fraction from Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract: 1: gallic acid, 2: protocatechuic acid, 3–9: 8 unknown compounds, 11: fisetin, 12: sulfuretin, and 13: butein.

4.2. Biological Activities of Main Compounds from Rhus verniciflua Stokes

Many researches have been studied to identify the clinically active ingredient from Rhus verniciflua Stokes like aspirin which was first discovered from the bark of the willow tree in 1763 by Edward Stone of Wadham College, Oxford University. Recently flavonoids from Rhus verniciflua Stokes have been found to have various biological activities, including antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and apoptotic activities in human cancer cell lines and in vivo model. For example, butein from Rhus verniciflua Stokes inhibited clonogenic growth of human breast cancer cells cocultured with fibroblasts [16], human colon adenocarcinoma cell proliferation [111], and prostate tumor growth in vitro and in vivo [59]. Moreover, this chalcone exhibited inhibition of NF-κB activation and infiltration reduction of inflammatory cells and apoptosis after spinal cord injury in animal model [60]. In another study, this tetrahydroxychalcone protected the murine hippocampal HT22 cells against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generations through preserving the activities of SOD, GR, and GSH-Px, showed inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production, and suppressed the expression of both iNOS and COX-2 in BV2 cells [32]. Other main compounds, kaempferol, quercetin, and fisetin, have similar biological activities, including antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and apoptotic activities in human cancer cell lines and in vivo model. Their activities could come from a similar structure base. Some of the other constituents in which Rhus verniciflua Stokes has shown biological activities are listed in Table 5.

4.3. Biological Activities of Urushiol from Rhus verniciflua Stokes

Urushiol is an allergen found in Anacardiaceae family, especially Toxicodendron spp. In sensitive individuals, urushiol can cause an allergic response [112]. Many researchers concerned about this compound could induce allergy during disease treatment with Rhus verniciflua Stokes. All clinical studies indicated in Section 3 used an urushiol-free extract of Rhus verniciflua Stokes and the treatment of this remedy has no severe adverse effect. However, this is still controversial because more detailed confirmative works on safety will be also required to use this remedy clinically in the world.

5. Conclusion

Whereas modern medicine has developed chemotherapy drugs for single-targeted agents, the traditional medicine is for multitargeted agents. The usage of entire or part extraction from a plant probably alleviates the adverse effects and drug resistance which are major problems in modern medicine [113]. Rhus verniciflua Stokes is an Asian tree species of genus Toxicodendron, which belongs to Anacardiaceae family. Traditionally, the remedy has been used for enormous purposes since ancient times. Modern science has provided the molecular basis for the properties of Rhus verniciflua Stokes against human diseases using in vitro and in vivo model, and the existing human studies have provided a logical basis for further investigation of this remedy for the prevention and treatment of human diseases, especially cancer. In addition to this accomplishment, clinical studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Rhus verniciflua Stokes in human subjects. The absence of any significant adverse effect associated with this remedy has made it superior to others. However, future studies should focus on employing larger, high-quality clinical trials, demonstrating its efficacy in terms of cancer patients’ survival and quality of life, and measuring cost-effectiveness in clinical practice. Additionally, Rhus verniciflua Stokes is a rich source of numerous biologically active constituents such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds which have anti-inflammatory activity, and chalconoids, which have antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Conflict of Interests

No conflicting financial interests exist.

Acknowledgment

This study was supported by the Traditional Korean Medicine R&D Program funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (B120014).

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