Lin W S, Chan W C, Hew C S
Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Nov 3;48(3):165-71. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(95)01297-q.
In traditional Chinese medicinal practices, herbs are classified as 'cold', 'neutral', or 'hot'. Fluorometric analysis of herbs with 'cold' properties revealed that these herbs produce large amounts of superoxide. In contrast, herbs with 'hot' properties have scavenging activities. We believe that this electron transfer to form superoxide and the scavenging of superoxide may elucidate the phenomena of the 'yin' (represented by 'cold') and 'yang' (represented by 'hot') respectively.
在传统中医实践中，草药被分为“寒性”、“平性”或“热性”。对具有“寒性”特性的草药进行荧光分析发现，这些草药会产生大量超氧化物。相比之下，具有“热性”特性的草药具有清除活性。我们认为，这种形成超氧化物的电子转移以及超氧化物的清除可能分别解释了“阴”（以“寒性”代表）和“阳”（以“热性”代表）的现象。
