Indigo naturalis as a potential drug in the treatment of ulcerative colitis: a comprehensive review of current evidence

• Published in: Pharmaceutical biology 2024-12, Vol.62 (1), p.818-832
• Main Authors: Hu, Yu, Chen, Liu-Lin, Ye, Zhen, Li, Lin-Zhen, Qian, Huan-Zhu, Wu, Ming-Quan, Wang, Juan, Qin, Kai-Hua, Ye, Qiao-Bo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AhR; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; clinical evidence; Colitis, Ulcerative - drug therapy; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacology; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunomodulation; Immunoregulation; Immunosuppressive agents; Indigo; Indigo Carmine; Indoles - pharmacology; Indoles - therapeutic use; Inflammatory bowel disease; Inflammatory bowel diseases; intestinal microbiota; mechanism; Medicine, Chinese Traditional - methods; Oxidative stress; Review; Traditional Chinese medicine; Treatment Outcome; Ulcerative colitis
• ISSN: 1388-0209; 1744-5116; 1744-5116
• DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2024.2415652

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an intractable inflammatory bowel disease that threatens the health of patients. The limited availability of therapeutic strategies makes it imperative to explore more efficient and safer drugs. (IN) is a traditional Chinese medicine that possesses many pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities. The treatment potential of IN for UC has been proven by numerous preclinical and clinical studies in recent years. This article provides a comprehensive review of the utility and potential of IN in the treatment of UC. 'Indigo naturalis' 'Qing dai' 'Qingdai' 'Ulcerative colitis' and 'UC' are used as the keywords, and the relevant literature is collected from online databases (Elsevier, PubMed, and Web of Science). Indirubin, indigo, isatin, tryptanthrin, and β-sitosterol are considered the key components in the treatment of UC with IN. Both preclinical and clinical studies support the efficacy of IN for UC, especially in severe UC or in those who do not respond to or have poor efficacy with existing therapies. The mechanisms of IN for UC are associated with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway activation, immune regulation, oxidative stress inhibition, and intestinal microbial modulation. However, the clinical use of IN has the risks of adverse events such as pulmonary hypertension, which suggests the necessity for its rational application. As a potential therapeutic agent for UC that is currently receiving more attention, the clinical value of IN has been initially demonstrated and warrants further evaluation.