Majority of Chinese Medicine Herb Category “Qing Re Yao” Have Multiple Mechanisms of Anti-inflammatory Activity

Herbs categorized as “Qing Re Yao” are translated into “medicine that removes heat” where heat symptoms strongly resemble inflammation. 226 herbs, among those 54 herbs are classified as “Qing Re Yao”, were studied on six key mechanisms of inflammation: COX2, iNOS activity, and the pathways of IL-6, IFNγ, TNF-α and glucocorticoid in order to assess if the majority of this family of herbs have anti-inflammatory activity. 96% demonstrated at least one anti-inflammatory process or innate immunity modular activity, and 72% could affect one anti-inflammatory process. Of the, 54 “Qing Re Yao” 68% affect at least 2 mechanism compared to only 4% (47 herbs) in the “Bu Yi Yao” category that are used to “tonify body energy” and prevent diseases. Moreover 43% of “Qing Re Yao” herbs affect 3 or more mechanisms while none of the “Bu Yi Yao” have this poly-mechanism quality. Additionally “Qing Re Yao” herbs exhibiting activity against STAT3 or GAS could have downstream effects on these target genes and their pathways. Our study addresses the key action on why “Qing Re Yao” work on inflammation. This study also demonstrates the utility in isolating anti-inflammatory substances to be used as a lead for drug discovery and development.