Targeting the Gut Microbiota with Herbal Compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Mechanistic Synthesis of a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) represents a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease characterized by substantial unmet clinical needs and limited curative modalities. Accumulating evidence implicates gut microbiota dysbiosis as a pivotal pathogenic driver, positioning microbiota-targeted interventions as promising therapeutic strategies. This review systematically delineates the mechanisms by which herbal compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine ameliorate UC through the restoration of microbial and metabolic homeostasis—including the modulation of beneficial commensals and their bioactive metabolites—thereby reinforcing intestinal barrier integrity and dampening mucosal inflammation. Although translational bottlenecks persist, integrative multi-omics frameworks coupled with advanced pharmaceutical engineering offer viable pathways to bridge preclinical findings and clinical application. Taken together, deciphering the bidirectional crosstalk between herbal compounds and the gut microbiome paves the way for mechanism-based, personalized botanical therapeutics in UC management.