Pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine metabolites in regulating Treg cells: an integrative pathway review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), characterized by the transcription factor Foxp3, play a pivotal role in maintaining immune homeostasis, preventing autoimmunity, and contributing to tumor immune evasion. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its long history of clinical application, exerts unique regulatory effects on immune responses. However, a comprehensive mechanistic synthesis of TCM-mediated Treg regulation remains lacking.

Methods

We reviewed studies from PubMed up to August 2025, focusing on molecular, cellular, and microbiota-related mechanisms by which TCM modulates Tregs. Identified evidence was synthesized into four major mechanisms and further integrated into three regulatory axes.

Results

TCM regulates Tregs through four mechanisms: (1) F

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12738957 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature