Yu X, Zhao CX, Wang C. Research progress in the treatment of ulcerative colitis with natural products. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(16): 117443 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i16.117443]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Chao Wang, MD, Doctor, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 440 Jiyan Highway, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China. chao_wang98@sina.cn
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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Review
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Apr 28, 2026 (publication date) through Apr 17, 2026
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Publication Name
World Journal of Gastroenterology
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1007-9327
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Yu X, Zhao CX, Wang C. Research progress in the treatment of ulcerative colitis with natural products. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(16): 117443 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i16.117443]
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2026; 32(16): 117443 Published online Apr 28, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v32.i16.117443
Research progress in the treatment of ulcerative colitis with natural products
Xiao Yu, Chuan-Xi Zhao, Chao Wang
Xiao Yu, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
Xiao Yu, Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Chuan-Xi Zhao, Chao Wang, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China
Chao Wang, Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin Province, China
Co-first authors: Xiao Yu and Chuan-Xi Zhao.
Author contributions: Yu X and Zhao CX contributed equally to this article; Yu X reviewed the literature and wrote the first draft of the paper; Zhao CX and Wang C contributed to searching the literature and edited it extensively; Wang C conceived the idea and edited it.
Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province, No. YDZJ202401182ZYTS.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Corresponding author: Chao Wang, MD, Doctor, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 440 Jiyan Highway, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, China. chao_wang98@sina.cn
Received: December 8, 2025 Revised: January 16, 2026 Accepted: February 13, 2026 Published online: April 28, 2026 Processing time: 131 Days and 2.5 Hours
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease characterized by a protracted course and high recurrence rate. Existing clinical therapeutic agents for UC are plagued by prominent side effects and drug resistance, while natural products (NPs) have emerged as a key research direction for UC treatment owing to their advantages including wide availability, multi-target synergistic effects, and low toxic and side effects. This review summarizes the recent research advances in NPs for UC intervention, and systematically analyzes the core active components and underlying mechanisms of action of NPs these agents exert therapeutic effects primarily via anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, intestinal mucosal barrier repair, intestinal flora modulation, and immune response regulation pathways. Meanwhile, it is pointed out that NPs face challenges in clinical translation, such as complex chemical compositions, low bioavailability, and the lack of large-sample clinical validation. In the future, it is necessary to clarify their action targets and improve bioavailability by leveraging technologies like network pharmacology and formulation optimization, and conduct standardized clinical studies to facilitate the development of NPs into novel therapeutic or adjuvant agents for UC treatment.
Core Tip: This review summarizes recent research advances in natural products for ulcerative colitis, systematically analyzes their core bioactive components and potential mechanisms of action, and further identifies the challenges in clinical translation. In the future, it is imperative to clarify their therapeutic targets and conduct standardized clinical studies to facilitate the development of natural products as novel therapeutic agents or adjuvants for ulcerative colitis treatment.
