NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ›› 2026, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 208-223. doi: 10.16333/j.1001-6880.2026.1.021 cstr: 32307.14.1001-6880.2026.1.021

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Research progress on the regulatory mechanisms of the STAT3 signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine

LI Huan1,2,SONG Xu-hua1,2,FAN Cong-ling1,2,ZHANG Xiang-an1,2*   

  1. 1The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450000,China;2The First Clinical Medical College,Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450046,China
  • Online:2026-01-28 Published:2026-01-26

Abstract:

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the colonic mucosa and submucosa.Its pathogenic mechanism is complex and it is prone to recurrence.Modern medical research suggests that it involves multiple factors such as oxidative stress and immune imbalance.Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important factor regulating cell growth,differentiation and survival,which can be activated by related cytokines to mediate inflammation,oxidative stress and immune responses,thereby affecting the pathological process of UC.It also has crosstalk with the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB),NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3),and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCSs) signaling pathways.As one of the hotspots in UC-related research in recent years,STAT3,this article reviews the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating UC by regulating the STAT3 signaling pathway,and deeply explores the molecular mechanism of STAT3 activation and mediation of the pathological process of UC,as well as how traditional Chinese medicine components regulate the STAT3 signaling pathway through multiple pathways to exert their potential mechanisms of action.Relevant studies have revealed that traditional Chinese medicine can not only effectively inhibit the occurrence of inflammation and oxidative stress by regulating the STAT3 signaling pathway,but also play an important role in regulating immune responses,maintaining intestinal barrier function and integrity,and is expected to provide new ideas for the treatment of UC.

Key words: ulcerative colitis, STAT3 signaling pathway, mechanism, immune regulation

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