Modulating Th17-driven inflammation in ulcerative colitis with Chinese medicine: pathways, cytokines and beyond

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of chronic non-specific inflammation of the digestive tract, whose incidence is increasing gradually. Th17 cells and their cytokines play a critical role in the inflammatory response of UC. Th17 cells need a particular environment for the production of cytokines and exert their immunoregulatory functions. They promote inflammation and tissue healing and interact with other types of immune cells. The abundance of Th17 cells and their cytokine expression capability were found to significantly change in the intestines of patients with UC. In this paper, we discussed how traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) regulate the function of Th17 cells and cytokine expression in UC. Chinese medicine monomers (e.g., matrine, paeoniflorin, curcumin, etc.) and compound decoctions (e.g., compound Sophorae decoction, Gegen Qinlian decoction, QingChang-XiaoPi decoction, etc.) were shown to regulate the behavior of Th17 cells and their cytokine capability by modulating several signaling pathways. These TCMs inhibited cytokine secretion, improved the intestinal bacterial flora, restored Th17/Treg cell balance, and alleviated intestinal inflammation. TCM offers a wide variety of molecules that modulate the Th17 response and the development of UC. The use of these molecules, in conjunction with conventional treatments, may provide a better therapeutic option for UC.