Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi as a potential therapeutic drug intervention in ulcerative colitis: Mechanisms of action and clinical trials

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by clinical symptoms of diarrhea and mucopurulent bloody stools, and its incidence is increasing globally. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC remain elusive. Current therapeutic approaches, including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and immunomodulating agents, are often limited in efficacy and frequently associated with adverse drug reactions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop safer and more effective treatment strategies to address the limitations of existing therapies. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (HQ), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been employed in the treatment of UC for over 2000 years. Recent studies have demonstrated that HQ contains multiple active components capable of treating UC through anti-inflammation, immune modulation, intestinal barrier protection, antioxidant activity, and regulation of the gut microbiota. This paper reviews recent studies on the mechanism of action and clinical trials of HQ in treating UC based on relevant literature, with the aim of providing valuable insights into future treatment approaches.