1.Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Review
Keqiu YAN ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Guangjun SUN ; Aizhen LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):285-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the mucosal layer of the rectum and colon. Its pathogenesis is complex and remains incompletely understood. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a critical role in cellular responses to external stress and the maintenance of homeostasis, and its abnormal activation is closely associated with the development of various inflammatory diseases, particularly in the pathological process of UC. ERS maintains cellular homeostasis by activating the unfolded protein response (UPR). However, when ERS is prolonged or excessive, UPR fails to alleviate the stress, leading to epithelial cell death and aggravating the progression of UC. Modulating ERS may serve as a key target for the prevention and treatment of UC, and it is one of the current research hotspots. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown significant efficacy in regulating ERS, offering unique therapeutic advantages through multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can alleviate ERS, inhibit apoptosis, regulate autophagy, reduce inflammatory responses, and maintain intestinal barrier function to prevent and treat UC. This review summarized the relationship between ERS and UC and discussed the intervention of TCM in regulating ERS for the treatment of UC, aiming to provide new insights and approaches for the treatment of UC with TCM.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Review
Keqiu YAN ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Guangjun SUN ; Aizhen LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):285-294
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory bowel disease that primarily affects the mucosal layer of the rectum and colon. Its pathogenesis is complex and remains incompletely understood. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a critical role in cellular responses to external stress and the maintenance of homeostasis, and its abnormal activation is closely associated with the development of various inflammatory diseases, particularly in the pathological process of UC. ERS maintains cellular homeostasis by activating the unfolded protein response (UPR). However, when ERS is prolonged or excessive, UPR fails to alleviate the stress, leading to epithelial cell death and aggravating the progression of UC. Modulating ERS may serve as a key target for the prevention and treatment of UC, and it is one of the current research hotspots. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown significant efficacy in regulating ERS, offering unique therapeutic advantages through multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms. Recent studies have confirmed that TCM can alleviate ERS, inhibit apoptosis, regulate autophagy, reduce inflammatory responses, and maintain intestinal barrier function to prevent and treat UC. This review summarized the relationship between ERS and UC and discussed the intervention of TCM in regulating ERS for the treatment of UC, aiming to provide new insights and approaches for the treatment of UC with TCM.
3.Analysis of Animal Models of Autoimmune Thyroiditis Based on Clinical Characteristics of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
Sifeng JIA ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Yuyu DUAN ; Keqiu YAN ; Xinhe ZUO ; Yang LI ; Yong ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):235-243
ObjectiveAutoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is a complex and immune-mediated disorder, with no established treatment protocol. Both Western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) focus on the pathogenesis and treatment of AIT. This study evaluated the clinical consistency of existing AIT animal models based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM, using a novel evaluation method. Additionally, it proposed recommendations and future prospects for improving these models. MethodsA comprehensive literature review was conducted on existing AIT animal models, using databases and the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM. Core and accompanying symptoms of these models were scored based on the diagnostic criteria of both Western and TCM, and clinical consistency was assessed. ResultsMice are the primary experimental animals used in AIT modeling. Modeling methods include vaccine immunization, iodine induction, heterologous thyroid antigen immunization, and a combination of high iodine water and antigen immunization. The average consistency of clinical syndromes based on TCM and Western medicine is 40%, 60%, 54%, and 63%, with the highest consistency observed in the combined high iodine water and antigen immunization model. Pathological models based on TCM are less common, with the liver-stagnation-spleen-deficiency rat model showing high clinical consistency. While most models are designed according to Western medical theory, meeting the surface and structural effectiveness criteria of Western medicine. However, there is a lack of fine-tuning and clear differentiation of TCM syndromes. ConclusionCurrent AIT syndrome-disease combination animal models primarily reflect the pathological features of Western medicine, with limited integration of TCM syndromes. Future research should aim to combine the syndrome characteristics of TCM with the pathological features of Western medicine, creating multi-factor and dynamic syndrome-disease models. Such models would better facilitate an experimental platform that conforms to the theories of TCM, providing more comprehensive support and guidance for the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of AIT.