Deciphering the anti-senescence immune paradigm: Kidney yin-yang equilibrium in traditional Chinese medicine

Abstract

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the kidney is considered the "innate foundation", and the abundance or diminution of its essence directly affects the growth, development, physical form, and physiological functions of the human body. As people reach middle age and old age, the essence in the kidney gradually decreases, and the signs of aging become more apparent. Immune aging is a common phenomenon in life, characterized by quantitative or functional changes in cells and molecules within the immune system. It is one of the main causes of organ aging, leading to increased inflammation, decreased immune regulatory capacity and declining organ function. TCM has a rich clinical practice and pharmacological research supporting its efficacy in delaying aging. This review focuses on Chinese medicine and formulas that tonify kidney yang and kidney yin, with the goal of delaying aging by regulating immune mechanisms. It provides a theoretical basis for understanding the role of TCM in anti-aging and prevention of senescence, as well as guiding the development of new products, theories, and directions in anti-aging research.