BackgroundTraditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides (TCMPs) are promising therapeutic candidates for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), known for their efficacy and low toxicity. Acting as potent gut microbiota modulators, TCMPs may alleviate RA by reshaping microbial communities and their metabolic outputs.MethodsThis systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines.
We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to April 7, 2025, for relevant animal studies.ResultsFrom an initial pool of 282 records, nine studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed, involving polysaccharides from six single herbs and one compound formula. The results demonstrated that TCMPs significantly alleviated RA symptoms, including paw swelling and arthritis scores, and improved bone quality metrics.
Regarding gut microbiota modulation, TCMPs induced changes in nine phyla (e.g., Patescibacteria, Desulfobacterota, Firmicutes) and 65 genera. At the genus level, 37 taxa (including Dubosiella, Faecalibaculum, Bifidobacterium) increased in abundance post-treatment, while 20 decreased.
The results for 8 genera were inconsistent across studies. Notably, the abundance of Lactobacillus was reported to increase in four of the included studies.
Frontiers in Immunology published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 23 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Effects of traditional Chinese medicine polysaccharides on rheumatoid arthritis through gut microbiota modulation: a systematic review in animal models.
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