Narrative review on natural products regulating aging-related endocrine disorders in women: a new paradigm for precise intervention targeting multi-organ clocks

Yibin Wang1, 2, Jiujie Jia1, 2, Bo Li1, 2, *, Guiyuan Lv3, *, Suhong Chen1, 2, 3, *

1 Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

2 Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products. Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

3 College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

* Correspondence to: Suhong Chen, PhD, 20241157@zcmu.edu.cn; Guiyuan Lv, PhD, zjtcmLgy@163.com; Bo Li, PhD, boli19861023@163.com

Abstract

The process of female aging is characterized by a decline in ovarian function, accompanied by multi-system physiological changes that result in endocrine disorders. Natural products have shown to have diverse effects in enhancing endocrine parameters and relieving symptoms through various pathways, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hormone regulation, and neuroprotection. Natural products offer a significant advantage due to their favorable safety profile. This review highlights the progress in using natural products for treating age-related endocrine disorders in women. Active components from plants, animals, and microorganisms, such as Tanshinone IIA, Danshensu, Salvianolic acid B, Ligustrazine, and velvet antler polypeptides, can influence various signaling pathways such as Nrf2/HO-1, AMPK/SIRT1, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB to provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and estrogen-like effects. These mechanisms can help address issues such as ovarian dysfunction, insulin resistance, bone loss, and mood disorders. Natural products have the potential to be used as alternatives or supplements to traditional hormone therapies, but their clinical effectiveness requires standardized preparation, evidence-based trials, and personalized treatment approaches to address endocrine diseases in aging populations.

天然产物调控女性衰老内分泌网络：靶向多器官时钟的精准干预新范式

摘要

女性衰老的过程以卵巢功能减退为特征，伴随多系统生理变化，导致内分泌紊乱。天然产物已被证实可通过多种途径发挥多方面作用，改善内分泌指标并缓解症状，包括抗氧化、抗炎、免疫调节、激素水平调节及神经保护作用。天然产物的显著优势在于其大多数具有良好的安全性。此综述系统梳理了天然产物干预女性增龄相关内分泌障碍的研究进展。结果提示，丹参酮 IIA、丹酚酸 B、银杏内酯 B、鹿茸多肽等植物、动物及微生物来源的活性组分，可通过 Nrf2/HO-1，AMPK/SIRT1，PI3K/Akt，NF-κB 等多条信号轴，发挥抗氧化、抗炎、免疫调节、神经保护及拟/调雌激素作用，从而改善卵巢功能衰退、胰岛素抵抗、骨量丢失及情绪障碍等表型，从而总结天然产物对女性衰老相关内分泌紊乱的干预效果及分子机制，为女性健康提供了新的见解和更有效的干预策略。结论认为，天然产物具备成为替代或补充传统激素疗法的潜力，但需通过标准化制备、循证试验及个体化方案设计，方能真正转化为安全、有效的临床策略，以减轻老龄化社会女性内分泌疾病负担。