Table 4.
Percentage distribution of herbs with cell protective capability in each TCM characteristics.
| TCM characteristics | Hit herbsa | Percentage (21 herbs) | Hit herbsb | Percentage (43 herbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four natures | ||||
| Cold | 5 | 23.81 | 19 | 44.19 |
| Cool | 1 | 4.76 | 1 | 2.33 |
| Moderate | 5 | 23.81 | 5 | 11.63 |
| Warm | 8 | 38.10 | 15 | 34.88 |
| Hot | 2 | 9.52 | 1 | 2.33 |
| Five flavors | ||||
| Pungent | 15 | 71.43 | 21 | 48.84 |
| Sweet | 9 | 42.86 | 14 | 32.56 |
| Bitter | 13 | 61.90 | 22 | 51.16 |
| Sour | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Astringent | 2 | 9.52 | 2 | 4.65 |
| Salty | 2 | 9.52 | 1 | 2.33 |
| Mild | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4.651 |
| Meridian distributions | ||||
| Liver | 9 | 42.86 | 20 | 46.51 |
| Lung | 11 | 52.38 | 18 | 41.86 |
| Spleen | 10 | 47.62 | 12 | 27.91 |
| Heart | 8 | 38.10 | 14 | 32.56 |
| Kidney | 8 | 38.10 | 12 | 27.91 |
| Stomach | 4 | 19.05 | 13 | 30.23 |
| Intestinum crassum | 3 | 14.29 | 3 | 6.977 |
| Urinary bladder | 1 | 4.76 | 6 | 13.95 |
| Gallbladder | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11.63 |
| Intestinum tenue | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.326 |
aHerbs with over 90% cell protective capability in stimulated RAW264.7 cells.
bHerbs with ability to increase over 90% cell proliferation in resting RAW264.7 cells.