REVIEW article
Front. Physiol.
Sec. Cell Physiology
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1617215
Exploring the Potential Anti-apoptotic Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects
Provisionally accepted
- 1Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China
- 2Second Affiliated Hospital of Luohe Medical College, Luohe, China
- 3University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
- 4Wuhan First Hospital, Wuhan, Hebei Province, China
- 5Luoyang Orthopedic Traumatological Hospital, Luoyang, Henan Province, China
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Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) stands as one of the primary culprits behind low back pain and disability, imposing substantial burdens on individual health, families, and societal well-being. The multifactorial etiology and complex pathology of IDD pose significant challenges, with molecular mechanisms still not fully elucidated. A key aspect of the pathogenesis of IDD involves programmed cell death, specifically apoptosis, which exacerbates the condition by fostering the apoptosis of intervertebral disc (IVD) cells and accelerating the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Conversely, inhibiting apoptosis signalling pathways has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for IDD. Recent research has highlighted the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to alleviate IDD at the genetic level by modulating apoptotic pathways. This review integrates the intricate mechanisms of IDD-induced cell apoptosis, the relevant targets implicated in IVD cell apoptosis, and the latest advancements in TCM-based treatments, drawing from a comprehensive analysis of literature sourced from the PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Web of Science databases. This study aims to offer fresh perspectives and innovative concepts for pharmacological interventions and to serve as a valuable reference for ongoing and future research endeavors. As the field of antiapoptotic research progresses, there is increasing urgency to identify safe, effective, and economically viable compounds from the vast array of natural resources, including plants and animals, to support the prevention and management of IDD. This approach not only aligns with the principles of sustainable development but also holds the promise of enriching the therapeutic armamentarium against IDD.
Keywords: Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Apoptosis, Death receptor pathway, Mitochondrial pathway, Endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway 1. Introduction
Received: 24 Apr 2025; Accepted: 11 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zhang, Wan, Ihsan, Pu, Liu, Zhao and Li. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Jitian Li, Luoyang Orthopedic Traumatological Hospital, Luoyang, Henan Province, China
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