Vitiligo, known as “Bai Bo Feng” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is a prevalent skin disorder characterized by the loss of pigment, manifesting as white patches on the skin and the mucous membranes. While the diagnosis is straightforward, effective treatment remains elusive due to frequent recurrences. This study investigated the therapeutic mechanisms of TCM for vitiligo. A literature review was conducted to evaluate the association between T cell-related cytokines and vitiligo, and to examine the active ingredients in TCM and traditional Chinese medicine formulas (TCMFs) that show promise in the treatment of vitiligo. Various Chinese herbal extracts have been identified, including Salvia miltiorrhiza , Artemisia annua , and Tribulus terrestris , which exhibit effects on T-cell modulation. Traditional Chinese medicine formulas have also demonstrated clinical efficacy, showing reduction in cytokine secretion, thus mitigating autoimmune responses against melanocytes. This review provides evidence for the role of TCM and TCMFs in managing vitiligo through multi-target and multi-pathway interventions. Traditional Chinese medicine could present a promising avenue for treatment by affecting T-cell and cytokine profiles. Further research is essential to elucidate the complex mechanisms of action of TCM and TCMFs, which could lead to more effective treatment strategies for vitiligo.
Zhang et al. (2026) studied this question.