中药通过调节细菌群体感应系统改善人体健康研究进展

群体感应(quorum sensing,QS)是近年来微生物学、医学等领域的研究焦点之一。细菌之间的群体感应是指细菌菌群通过感应环境中特定信号分子的浓度而调节群体密度的一种相互作用机制。细菌的群体感应系统通过影响细菌生长、增殖、生物膜形成、毒力功能、抗生素合成等生物学功能,最终实现其对环境变化的适应。目前,在中药中发现越来越多调节群体感应的活性物质,中药及其活性成分可通过调节细菌群体感应系统,促进有益菌的生长,抑制致病菌的增殖,最终实现治疗疾病的目的,体现了中药药效多途径多靶点的特点。该文首先介绍了细菌之间的群体感应信号分子种类及调节机制,在此基础上对人体健康相关的细菌群体感应进行了总结,进而综述了中药对细菌群体感应系统的调节作用,最后指出中药通过细菌群体感应系统改善人体健康的物质基础及作用机制仍不清楚,未来的研究热点将集中在中药群体感应活性物质,群体感应关键节点及相关靶点等方面,以期为有关疾病的治疗提供参考。

Effect of traditional Chinese medicine in improving human health by regulating bacterial quorum sensing system

Quorum sensing(QS)is one of the research hotspots in the fields of microbiology and medicine in recent years.Quorum sensing is a cell communication regulatory system,which is used by bacterial flora to pass on information of population density by sensing specific signaling molecules to the environment.The QS system of bacteria can impact biological functions,such as bacterial growth,proliferation,biofilm formation,virulence factor production,antibiotic synthesis,and ultimately adapt the bacteria to environmental changes.At present,more and more active ingredients can regulate quorum sensing have been found in traditional Chinese medicines(TCM).TCM and their active ingredients can promote the growth of beneficial bacteria,inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and finally achieve the purpose of treating diseases.It embodies multi-pathway and multi-target characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine.This article first introduces molecular types and regulation mechanisms of quorum sensing signals between bacteria.On this basis,the human health-related bacterial quorum sensing is summarized,and the regulatory effect of TCM on bacterial quorum sensing system is discussed.Finally,it is noted that the material basis and mechanisms of TCM in improving human health through bacterial quorum sensing system are still unclear.Future research hotspots will focus on quorum sensing active substances,quorum sensing key nodes and relevant targets.In a word,this article provides reference for the treatment of relevant diseases.