Effect and mechanism of Chinese medicine on inhibiting the senescence of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent stem cells isolated from human tissues. Due to their strong self-renewal capacity, pluripotency, and immunomodulatory properties, MSCs have garnered significant attention in cell therapy and tissue regeneration. However, cellular senescence induced by replication or external stimuli can impair MSC proliferation and differentiation, making it crucial to develop interventions that delay or reverse the senescence process. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, senescence stems from spleen and stomach deficiency, kidney deficiency, and related factors; thus, medicines that tonify the kidney and promote Qi and blood circulation play vital roles in anti-senescence therapy. Chinese medicine, characterized by low toxicity and multi-target, multi-functional properties, has become prominent in anti-senescence research. This paper examines the MSC senescence process by discussing its causes, characteristics, and mechanisms, then summarizes how active ingredients in herbal medicines and natural compounds reverse MSC senescence, facilitating the discovery of additional anti-senescence Chinese medicines and their effective components.