10/23/2019 / By Evangelyn Rodriguez
Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes sores along the intestinal tract. This disease can be debilitating, and if left untreated, it can also lead to life-threatening complications such as severe bleeding and colon cancer. Today, ulcerative colitis remains without a cure, and relief from its symptoms is solely dependent on prompt and proper treatment. While conventional treatment includes the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, alternatives like traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are also available.
In an article published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, researchers from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine reviewed the different anti-ulcerative compounds found in various herbs used in TCM. They also discussed their mechanisms of action, which mainly revolve around reducing or preventing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and affects the colon. According to statistics, the incidence of UC is rising worldwide. The pathogenesis of UC is multifactorial and involves genetic predisposition, epithelial barrier defects, dysregulated immune responses, and environmental factors.
Today, modern drugs like 5-aminosalicylic acid, steroids, and immunosuppressants are used to treat UC. However, long-term use of these drugs can cause adverse effects, such as liver and kidney toxicity, drug resistance, and allergic reactions. Because of these consequences, the use of natural medicines as alternative treatment is now being explored.
Several studies have reported that TCM herbs have great potential in treating UC. These plant-based medicines are able to reduce the recurrence rate of UC and cause very few side effects. The active compounds present in many TCM with anti-UC effects are mainly flavonoids, acids, terpenoids, phenols, alkaloids, quinones, and bile acids.
According to in vitro and in vivo studies, the biological activities of these phytochemicals involve preventing inflammation and oxidative stress via the following ways:
Because of the potency of these compounds and their anti-inflammatory activities, the researchers believe that they can be developed into effective drugs for the treatment of UC. They also hope that their review could serve as a valuable reference for future studies on anti-UC compounds from natural medicines.
Today, natural ways to manage inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like ulcerative colitis are available to patients dissatisfied with conventional medicine. Some of the most commonly used alternative treatments for IBD are acupuncture, moxibustion, and probiotics. Medicinal herbs are also used either in combination with these therapies or as standalone medicine to reduce chronic inflammation. Examples of herbs used to treat UC are:
Herbal medicines have long been used to treat various ailments. While some are already accepted for clinical use, others are still undergoing trials and further evaluation. Medicinal herbs contain many active components that may react or interfere with certain medications. If you wish to use natural medicines, consult with your healthcare provider first to ensure your safety.
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Tagged Under: alkaloids, aloe vera, alternative medicine, anti-inflammatory, bile acids, Boswellia, curcumin, disease treatments, fiber, flavonoids, gut health, herbal medicine, Herbs, IBD, immune system, inflammatory bowel diseases, licorice, natural cures, natural medicine, oxidative stress, phenols, phytonutrients, psyllium, quinones, remedies, research, TCM, terpenoids, traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric, ulcerative colitis, wheatgrass
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