ABSTRACT
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common chronic non-specific intestinal inflammation, which has a long course and is difficult to cure, and the incidence is increasing year by year. Helper T cells 17 (Th17) are one of immune-promoting cells, while regulatory sputum cells (Treg) are immunosuppressive cells, and Th17 cells and regulatory T cells together maintain the balance of the body's immune microenvironment. During progression of UC, the population of sputum helper cells 17 (Th17 cells) that cause inflammation generally increases, while the number of sputum regulatory T cells that inhibit Th17 cell activity decreases. Among them, Th17 cells mediate immune response, regulatory T cell-mediated immunosuppression, and the balance between the two plays a key role in the inflammation and immune process of ulcerative colitis. Although Western medicine treatment of UC has certain effects, however, The frequency and severity of side effects, inconvenient dose adjustments, and partial price excessions limit their clinical application.As a traditional medicine in China, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has multi-target, multi-link and multi-channel treatment characteristics, and has unique advantages and broad prospects in anti-ulcerative colitis. In recent years, the TCM field has taken Th17/Treg balance as the entry point, and carried out a large number of clinical and experimental studies on the intervention of TCM in Th17/Treg balance in UC, and achieved certain results. Clinical and experimental evidence clearly indicates intervention in Th17/Treg. It is an important mechanism of action of TCM in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This paper mainly summarizes and analyzes the intervention effects of TCM monomer, component or active ingredient and TCM compound on Th17/Treg balance in UC, which is helpful for people to understand Chinese medicine intervention in UC more accurately and comprehensively. The mechanism of action of Th17/Treg balance provides a reference for the clinical design of a treatment plan for anti-ulcerative colitis.