New targets for the treatment of ulcerative colitis: Gut microbiota and its metabolites.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most common and difficult-to-treat inflammatory diseases Currently, the standard of care includes immunological modulation and anti-inflammatory medication to alleviate symptoms; however, these treatments are associated with several side effects. As a result, developing novel, safe, and effective treatment strategies is crucial. The gut microbiota and its influence on the onset and progression of UC through their regulation of immunity, barrier integrity, and homeostasis, serves as a promising target for UC therapy. In this review, we explore the pathological changes that take place in UC along with the role of gut microbiota and its metabolites in disease progression and modulation. Additionally, we offer a thorough description of novel UC treatment approaches that focus on altering the gut microbiota and its metabolites. These protocols include FMT, probiotics, prebiotics, and micro/nanoparticles. The ultimate goal is to offer a theoretical basis for the advancement of innovative therapeutic strategies for UC.