1.Role of Oxidative Stress in Ulcerative Colitis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment: A Review
Bo CHEN ; Xitong SUN ; Xinqian DONG ; Wei WANG ; Hongquan SONG ; Jiting ZHAO ; Ya ZHENG ; Honghao ZHANG ; Qingxin LUAN ; Kangning ZHAO ; Hualiang DENG ; Zhen SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(16):264-273
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a commonly seen digestive system disease with unclear pathogenesis. The condition is complex and variable, often chronic, and has a long treatment period with no specific cure. Currently, the treatment of UC often involves the use of corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, and biologics in western medicine, which provide fast-acting and definite efficacy in the short term. However, with prolonged medication, some patients may develop drug resistance and worsening of the disease, leading to the occurrence of colon cancer. Research has found that oxidative stress is one of the important pathogenic factors in UC and influences its onset and development. Oxidative stress is a state of imbalance between oxidative products and the antioxidant system in the body, characterized by overexpression of oxidative products such as malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), or deficiency of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). It is worth noting that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a unique characteristic medicine of China, has achieved significant efficacy in the treatment of UC. Studies have shown that TCM effectively inhibits the occurrence of UC by suppressing the accumulation of metabolites and antagonizes the development of UC by enhancing the antioxidant system. Therefore, using TCM to regulate the oxidative balance as a diagnostic and therapeutic approach may be a new method and direction for the treatment of UC in the future. Based on the above research, this article summarized the mechanisms of key pathogenic proteins in oxidative stress and the occurrence and development of UC, and compiled the effective ingredients of Chinese medicine, single drugs, prescriptions, and acupuncture and moxibustion in regulating upstream and downstream target proteins of oxidative stress. These interventions can reduce pathological damage to the intestinal mucosa, lower the colon injury index, enrich the intestinal microbiota, increase colon length, and improve clinical symptoms of UC. The article is expected to expand the application of TCM in the treatment of UC and provide a reliable scientific theoretical basis.