Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is one of the idiopathic inflammatory diseases of the large intestine with an unknown cause, which occurs in recurrent attacks of inflammation in the lining of the mucosa and below the intestinal mucosa. Impaired mucosal immune responses, the involvement of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, TNF-alpha, and IL-6, and other inflammatory mediators such as arachidonic acid metabolites play an important role in the immunopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Based on medical findings on the pathogenesis of the disease, new therapies have focused on the responses of the intestinal immune system and the inflammatory process. However, the widespread use of treatments such as aminosalicylates and corticosteroids continues. Most of these drugs have severe side effects. Some patients do not respond well to these treatments and sometimes have to undergo surgery and colectomy. Therefore, extensive studies are being conducted to control and prevent disease to use natural treatment methods such as the use of antioxidants with the approach of removing free radicals that prevent the destruction of cells and tissues in the body. Today, various studies have pointed to the effects of herbal medicines as a complementary treatment in inflammatory diseases. Their low cost and high effectiveness have attracted the attention of researchers in this field. The aim of the present study is a comprehensive review of modern and traditional treatments based on herbal medicines in the field of ulcerative colitis.