A recent update on the use of Chinese medicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Yang L, Luo H, Tan D, Zhang S, Zhong Z, Wang S, Vong CT, Wang Y · Phytomedicine · 2021 November

DOI 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153709

Objective

To review recent studies assessing the effects and mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), focusing on immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improvement of intestinal barrier function.

Conclusions

Chinese medicine shows promise in the management of IBD by addressing its pathogenesis through mechanisms such as immune modulation, regulation of intestinal flora, and enhancement of intestinal barrier function. This review underscores the potential of classical multi-herbal Chinese medicine as a therapeutic option for IBD, highlighting the need for further exploration and evaluation.

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Insights

Chinese medicine presents unique advantages in managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) through immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improvement of intestinal barrier function.

In their research, the researchers conducted a systematic review of studies that assessed the effects and mechanics of Chinese medicine in treating IBD. They performed a literature search on various peer-reviewed and clinical databases, including reputable international and Chinese sources. The keywords used for this comprehensive search included "inflammatory bowel disease", "Ulcerative colitis", "Crohn's disease", and "Chinese medicine". Only articles from the period of 1997-2021 that met their exclusion criteria were chosen for the review. The compiled research illuminates recent progression in using Chinese medicine to treat IBD. Certain studies specifically look at how Chinese medicine impacts immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and the enhancement of intestinal barrier function in IBD patients. This information could serve as a key reference for further exploration regarding the potential of classical multi-herbal Chinese medicine in treating IBD.

Chinese medicine's unique immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improved intestinal barrier function offer new approaches to managing chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The study involved a comprehensive review of literature from peer-reviewed and clinical databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Springer LINK, Wan-fang database, the Chinese Biomedicine Database, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Keywords such as inflammatory bowel disease (including Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease) and Chinese medicine were used, focusing on studies conducted between 1997 and 2021, while excluding those that did not meet specific criteria. The review primarily focused on the pathogenesis of IBD and how Chinese medicine plays a role in its treatment, particularly in immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation, and improvement of intestinal barrier function. The collective findings present exciting progress in understanding how multi-herbal Chinese medicine can potentially contribute to the treatment of IBD.