Traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of presbycusis

Author: Li Yan1, Yan Huo2, Jianrong Shi1, Yang Dong3, Hongsheng Tan4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. <sup>2</sup> Department of Otolaryngology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200437, China. <sup>3</sup> School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. <sup>4</sup> Clinical Research Institute &amp; School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
Conference/Journal: Heliyon
Date published: 2023 Nov 28
Other: Volume ID: 9 , Issue ID: 12 , Pages: e22422 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22422. , Word Count: 278

Background:
Presbycusis/Age-related hearing loss is a sensorineural hearing loss caused by age-related deterioration of the auditory system that poses a risk to the physical and mental health of older people, including social and cognitive decline. It is also associated with frailty, falls and depression. There are currently no specific medications for the treatment of presbycusis, and early detection and intervention are key to its prevention and management. Traditional Chinese medicine interventions may offer opportunities in the prevention and treatment of presbycusis, but there is no relevant review.

Methods:
Literature searches was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases for review articles, research articles, clinical trials, meta-analyses, and case studies in animal models and clinical trials.

Results:
We summarized the pathological mechanisms associated with presbycusis, related to genetic factors, environment, lifestyle, and molecular mechanisms related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammatory pathways. It is suggested that traditional Chinese medicine interventions may offer opportunities in the prevention and treatment of presbycusis using active ingredients of herbs or formulas, acupuncture, and exercise such as Tai Chi Chuan or Ba Duan Jin. The active ingredients of herbs or formulas may exert ear protection through Nrf2-mediated antioxidant pathways, NF-kB and NLRP3-related anti-inflammatory signaling, and regulation of autophagy.

Conclusions:
Here, we review the pathogenetic factors and pathological mechanisms involved in presbycusis, as well as traditional Chinese medicine interventions and treatments, with the aim of providing a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of hearing loss in the elderly and further improving their quality of life.

Keywords: Age-related hearing loss; Mechanism; Presbycusis; Traditional Chinese medicine.

PMID: 38076135 PMCID: PMC10703638 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22422