Natural products targeting Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Botong Li, Yixuan Wang, Xiaolin Jiang, Hongwei Du, Yan Shi, Minghui Xiu, Yongqi Liu, Jianzheng He
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a special chronic intestinal inflammatory disease, which is mainly divided into Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Its occurrence is a complex process that regulated by multiple signaling pathways, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2)/ antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway. Nrf2/ARE pathway as the central defense mechanism against oxidative stress controls the expression of many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory genes in the nucleus, and plays a crucial role in the treatment of IBD. Various studies have proved that many natural compounds target Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway to treat IBD. Here, we introduced the regulatory mechanism of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and its role in IBD and IBD complications (intestinal fibrosis and colorectal cancer (CRC)); summarized the research progress of Nrf2 targeted natural compounds and extracts in the treatment of IBD; and finally described the intestinal microbiota that alleviate or treat IBD via activating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. This review highlights the potential for targeting Nrf2/ARE pathway to treat IBD.