Traditional Chinese medicine in thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Endocrinology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Orbital fibroblasts (OF) are key players in thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) pathogenesis.
• TAO involves orbital inflammation, edema, adipogenesis, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds have shown potential in pre-clinical studies for TAO treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review pre-clinical studies on TCM active ingredients targeting TAO-OF.
• To identify TCM compounds with potential therapeutic applications for TAO.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of pre-clinical studies on TCM effects on TAO-OF.
• Searched NCBI PubMed database for relevant research.

Main Results:

• Eleven TCM compounds inhibited TAO-OF in vitro.
• Polydatin, curcumin, and gypenosides improved TAO mouse models.
• Various compounds demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-adipogenic, anti-fibrotic, and anti-autophagy effects.

Conclusions:

• TCM compounds show significant potential in managing TAO.
• Clinical trials are necessary to evaluate dosage, safety, and efficacy of these compounds for TAO treatment.