102-LQP-IJCMR 20260714125756 Lumina Quest Publishing m.arslansohail@gmail.com Lumina Quest Publishing International Journal of Clinical and Medical Research Int. J. Clin. Med. Res. 3134-8831 10.66590/ijcmr https://lquestpub.com/archives.php?journal=international-journal-of-clinical-and-medical-research 05 30 2026 05 30 2026 3 1 10.66590/ijcmr20260301 https://lquestpub.com/articles-list.php?journal=international-journal-of-clinical-and-medical-research&volume=3&issue=1 Herbal Plants and Phytochemicals application in Ulcerative Colitis: Therapeutic Potential and Mechanistic Insights Shabab Nasir Maryam Farrukh Yasmeen Fareed Rafia Sadia Ejaz Basheer Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory collapse of the colon, is characterized by dysregulated immune responses, including significant cytokines including interleukins and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as recurrent mucosal inflammation and decreased epithelial barrier function.Its pathophysiology is highly complex and involves genetic predisposition, environmental stressors, gut microbiota imbalance and immunological dysfunction.UC presents as urges, bloody diarrhea and pain in the abdomen. It develops into moderate inflammation to severe and fulminant disease which can have long-term effects and high risk of colon cancer. Examples of traditional therapy that are effective in the initiation and maintenance of remission include amino salicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics; however, their use is often limited in the long run due to adverse effects, expense and insufficient mucosal repair. Medicinal herbs and their bioactive phytochemicals have garnered a lot of interest recently as a possible supplemental or alternative remidies for ulcerative colitis because of their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and mucosal protecting qualities.Flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols found in aloe vera, Boswellia serrata and Camellia sinensis improve mucosal defense, lower oxidative stress and control important inflammatory pathways including NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK-STAT signaling. Phytochemicals like quercetin, apigenin, arctiine, acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid show potential therapeutic effects by targeting the processes of cytokine generation, immune cell activation, and epithelial repair. The pathogenesis, clinical progression and the existing treatment options of ulcerative colitis (UC) are discussed in this review, as well as the increasing importance of plant-based substances as safer and cost-effective alternatives to manage the disease over time. 05 30 2026 05 30 2026 1 15 10.66590/ijcmr2026030101 https://lquestpub.com/article/10.66590/ijcmr2026030101