Function of the Diaphoretic Recipe and Toll-like Receptor

Abstract

In this research, molecules with similar structures to those of viral or bacterial components or the sera from patients with distinct syndromes of upper respiratory tract infections were used as stimulants. Through the intervening treatments by the sera containing exterior-relieving or heat-clearing recipes on RAW264.7 cells, the responses of the Toll-like receptor (TLR), its intracellular signal pathway adaptor proteins and the corresponding induced products were observed. Based on the above research, the medicative categorization basis of different recipes was further studied. The current results showed that the diaphoretic recipes and heat-clearing recipes selectively affected different subtypes of the TLR family. This indicated that the TLR system, which could recognize the pathogen-associated molecular patterns, initiate innate immunity and regulate adaptive immunity, may contribute to the biological basis of the function classifications of the diaphoretic recipes and heat-clearing recipes. Moreover, the results, that is, the abnormal expression of TLR induced by the serum from the patients with Guizhi-decoction syndrome could only be completely reversed by the serum containing Guizhi decoction, might support the concept of interrelationship between syndrome and prescription (“prescription-syndrome correspondence”) in traditional Chinese medicine.