Research progress on the role and therapeutic applications of traditional Chinese medicine in radiation enteropathy
Abstract
Radiation enteropathy (RE) is a debilitating complication following radiotherapy, with currently limited treatment options. Multi-target intervention strategies such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) botanical formulas and acupuncture have been investigated as potential complementary approaches for its management. This review systematically synthesizes the evidence on TCM botanical formulas (e.g., Modified Baitouweng Decoction, Xihuang Pill, TJ-14) and acupuncture for the treatment of RE. Existing studies suggest multiple mechanisms of action, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, regulation of apoptosis and proliferation, restoration of intestinal barrier integrity, and modulation of gut microbiota. Clinical studies have reported improvements in symptoms and reductions in inflammatory markers, while preclinical models have demonstrated protective effects against radiation-induced intestinal injury. However, the current body of evidence is generally constrained by methodological limitations. Many clinical studies have small sample sizes and lack rigorous designs (e.g., absence of randomized controls), while mechanistic research often provides limited causal inference and relies on models with questionable clinical relevance, resulting in a significant translational gap. Based on this appraisal, we critically evaluate the limitations of existing research and propose future directions. These include: (i) employing CRISPR-based microbiome editing to…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Quercetin Influences Quorum Sensing in Food Borne Bacteria: In-Vitro and In-Silico Evidence
- Phenolic-protein interactions: insight from in-silico analyses – a review
- In Silico Discovery of Candidate Drugs against Covid-19
- Neuropharmacological Effects of Quercetin: A Literature-Based Review
- In vitro and in silico anti-dengue activity of compounds obtained from Psidium guajava through bioprospecting
- Effect of Quercetin Rich Onion Extracts on Bacterial Quorum Sensing
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.