J Ethnopharmacol. 1995 Nov; 48(3): 165-71.

Superoxide and traditional Chinese medicines.

Lin WS, Chan WC, Hew CS.

Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore.

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.