Objective:

To systematically summarize current evidence on Chinese herbal formulas that intervene in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) through the thyroid-gut axis, emphasizing the systematic nature of the review and proposing a target-combination-based mechanistic framework.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• Chinese herbal formulas target four pathological nodes: intestinal barrier repair, gut microbiota remodeling, immune homeostasis reconstruction, and endocrine function restoration. Target combinations observed include A+C, B+C, B+C+D, and A+B+C+D, which may indicate synergistic effects in treatment.

Interpretation:

Chinese herbal formulas may modulate HT pathology through multitarget regulation of the thyroid-gut axis, but current evidence is largely correlative and derived from heterogeneous preclinical studies, highlighting the need for more rigorous research.

Limitations:

• Evidence is mainly from preclinical animal studies, and current studies are heterogeneous and lack rigorous causal chains. Future research should include randomized controlled trials, standardized outcome assessments, and strategies to address these limitations.

Conclusion:

Chinese herbal formulas may offer a multifaceted approach to HT through the thyroid-gut axis, but further research is needed to establish causal relationships and safety, underscoring the importance of rigorous investigation.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.