Harvard researchers discover secret of ancient Chinese remedy, could lead to new therapies for autoimmune disorders

Researchers from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine have unlocked the secrets of a root extract that Chinese herbalists have used for approximately 2,000 years. The extract, commonly known as chang shan, is derived from a type of hydrangea and used to treat malaria. It was already suspected that halofiginone (HF), a compound derived from chang shan, could also be used in treating autoimmune disorders, and now it is understood how it works on a molecular level. The findings of the new study indicate that HF triggers a stress-response pathway that inhibits the development of harmful T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which play a role in many autoimmune disorders. “HF prevents the autoimmune response without dampening immunity altogether,” explained Malcolm Whitman, a professor of developmental biology and senior author on the study. “This compound could inspire novel therapeutic approaches to a variety of autoimmune disorders.”