Assessing the efficacy of compounds in traditional Chinese medicine vs. ulcerative colitis
By dominguez // 2019-09-03
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In this review, researchers from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine discussed different kinds of active compounds extracted from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that possess anti-ulcerative colitis effects. The article was published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines.
  • Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the colon. The incidence of UC is rising worldwide.
  • The pathogenesis of UC is multifactorial and involves genetic predisposition, epithelial barrier defects, dysregulated immune responses, and environmental factors.
  • Today, drugs like 5-aminosalicylic acid, steroids, and immunosuppressants are used to treat UC. However, long-term use of these drugs can cause adverse effects, such as hepatic and renal toxicity, drug resistance, and allergic reactions.
  • On the other hand, TCM has shown potential in treating UC. These medicinal plants are able to reduce the recurrence rate of UC and cause fewer side effects.
  • The active compounds of many TCM with anti-UC effects are mainly flavonoids, acids, terpenoids, phenols, alkaloids, quinones, and bile acids from some animal medicines.
  • According to numerous studies, the anti-UC activities of these compounds involve preventing inflammation or oxidative stress.
  • Their mechanisms of action are associated with increasing levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, SOD), suppressing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL1B, IL-6, IL-8, IL-23, NF-kB, NO), and reducing the activity of MPO, MDA, IFN-y, and iNOS.
The researchers hope that their review could serve as a valuable reference for future studies on anti-UC compounds from natural medicines. Journal Reference: Cao SY, Ye SJ, Wang WW, Wang B, Zhang T, Pu YQ. PROGRESS IN ACTIVE COMPOUNDS EFFECTIVE ON ULCERATIVE COLITIS FROM CHINESE MEDICINES. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines. February 2019;17(2):81–102. DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(19)30012-3
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