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Mitochondria and Qi: Merging eastern and western medicine
Wanqing Xie1, Deborah G Murdock2, Douglas C Wallace2
1The Center for Mitochondrial and Epigenomic Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Pharmacological Research
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may offer new therapies for mitochondrial diseases. By modulating vital force ("Qi"), TCM may target mitochondrial bioenergetics and immune regulation for treating complex conditions.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial biology
- Integrative medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) gene mutations cause mitochondrial diseases affecting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS).
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to rare primary diseases and common conditions, but effective therapies are limited.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its concept of vital force "Qi", offers a potential source for novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of TCM in treating mitochondrial dysfunction and associated diseases.
- To investigate how TCM's concept of "Qi" relates to mitochondrial bioenergetics and regulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on mitochondrial diseases and TCM.
- Hypothesizing mechanisms linking "Qi" to mitochondrial functions like OXPHOS, fatty acid oxidation, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS).
Main Results:
- TCM's "Qi" concept may encompass the modulation of mitochondrial energy production and immune system regulation.
- Potential TCM mechanisms involve balancing OXPHOS, fatty acid oxidation, glycolysis, and PPP.
- TCM may influence mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) for therapeutic benefit.
Conclusions:
- TCM offers a promising avenue for developing novel therapies for mitochondrial diseases.
- Understanding TCM through the lens of mitochondrial bioenergetics and regulation could unlock new treatment approaches.
- Further research into TCM's impact on mitochondrial function is warranted for treating a spectrum of diseases.
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