REVIEW article
Front. Immunol.
Sec. Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Disorders : Autoimmune Disorders
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1629288
This article is part of the Research TopicNew Insights into Inflammation Driven Autoimmune Skin Disorders: Trends and ChallengesView all 11 articles
Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine compounds in autoimmune-related skin diseases
Provisionally accepted
- 1Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
- 2Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- 3Mucau University of science and technology, Mucau, China
- 4Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Background: Autoimmune-related skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), vitiligo, and Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) are characterized by chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, and complex pathogenesis. Current therapeutic options are limited by side effects, poor efficacy, and high costs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds have demonstrated promising immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, offering a novel alternative for managing these conditions. Objective: To systematically review the pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine in treating autoimmune-related skin diseases. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on studies that investigated the efficacy, mechanism, and delivery strategies of TCM-derived compounds. Diseases covered include psoriasis, AD, vitiligo, and SjS. Mechanistic pathways such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB were evaluated alongside compound-specific delivery systems. Results: Numerous TCM compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, baicalein, berberine, ginsenosides, and paeoniflorin, exhibited therapeutic effects in preclinical and clinical models. These effects were mediated through various pathways, including inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, restoration of skin barrier function, and modulation of immune cell balance. Nano-based delivery systems further enhanced the stability and bioavailability of these compounds. The compounds also showed potential in reducing oxidative stress and improving melanocyte survival in vitiligo, or restoring glandular secretion in SjS. Conclusion: TCM compounds present a valuable resource for the development of safer and more effective therapies for autoimmune-related skin diseases. Further studies are warranted to clarify their mechanisms, optimize delivery systems, and validate clinical efficacy. These natural compounds represent a promising direction for future dermatological drug discovery.
Keywords: Autoimmune Diseases, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, Vitiligo, Sjögren's syndrome
Received: 15 May 2025; Accepted: 15 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Wang, Bu, Deng, Zhao and Pan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Guangtao Pan, panguangtaowuhan@foxmail.com
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.