A seven-herb traditional Chinese formula called Qijiao Shengbai capsule significantly reduced inflammation and healed intestinal damage in mice with ulcerative colitis, according to a 2026 research study. The formula worked by increasing beneficial gut bacteria, reducing inflammatory chemicals, and suppressing the immune system’s overactive inflammatory response. However, this was a mouse study, so human trials are needed before doctors can recommend it as a treatment for people.
Researchers tested a traditional Chinese herbal blend called Qijiao Shengbai capsule on mice with ulcerative colitis, a painful intestinal disease. According to Gram Research analysis, the herbal formula reduced inflammation, restored healthy gut bacteria, and strengthened the intestinal barrier. The treatment worked by calming down the immune system’s overactive response. While these results are promising, the study was conducted in mice, so scientists need to test whether the same benefits occur in people before recommending it as a treatment.
Key Statistics
A 2026 mouse study found that Qijiao Shengbai capsule treatment significantly reduced disease activity index scores and improved weight recovery in mice with ulcerative colitis compared to untreated controls.
Research published in Frontiers in Microbiology showed that the herbal formula increased beneficial gut bacteria like Akkermansia and Lactobacillus while decreasing inflammatory Bacteroides species in diseased mice.
The 2026 study demonstrated that Qijiao Shengbai capsule reduced pro-inflammatory markers including TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta in mice with experimentally induced ulcerative colitis.
According to the research, the herbal formula suppressed the TLR4/MyD88/NF-kappa-B immune signaling pathway, which is the primary mechanism driving inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a seven-herb traditional Chinese medicine formula could reduce inflammation and heal intestinal damage in mice with ulcerative colitis, a disease that causes painful swelling and bleeding in the colon.
- Who participated: Laboratory mice that were given a chemical to create ulcerative colitis symptoms similar to the human disease. The study compared mice treated with the herbal formula to untreated mice.
- Key finding: Mice treated with Qijiao Shengbai capsule showed significant improvement in disease symptoms, including weight recovery, reduced intestinal damage, and lower inflammation markers compared to untreated mice.
- What it means for you: This research suggests the herbal formula may help treat ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and repairing the gut lining. However, this was a mouse study, so human trials are needed before doctors can recommend it as a treatment. People with ulcerative colitis should continue following their doctor’s current treatment plan.
The Research Details
Scientists created ulcerative colitis in laboratory mice using a chemical called DSS. They then gave some mice the Qijiao Shengbai herbal formula while others received no treatment. The researchers measured disease severity, inflammation levels, and intestinal damage in both groups. They also analyzed the bacteria living in the mice’s intestines and examined how the herbal formula affected immune system signaling pathways, which are the chemical messages that trigger inflammation. Advanced laboratory techniques including genetic sequencing and protein analysis were used to understand exactly how the treatment worked.
This research approach is important because it combines multiple scientific methods to understand not just whether a treatment works, but how it works. By examining gut bacteria, inflammation markers, intestinal barrier function, and immune signaling pathways simultaneously, researchers can identify the specific mechanisms responsible for healing. This comprehensive approach provides stronger evidence for how the herbal formula might help people with ulcerative colitis.
The study was published in Frontiers in Microbiology, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The researchers used established laboratory methods and multiple analytical techniques to verify their findings. However, this is a mouse study, which means results may not directly translate to humans. The study did not specify the exact number of mice used, which makes it harder to assess statistical power. Human clinical trials would be needed to confirm these results are safe and effective in people.
What the Results Show
Mice treated with Qijiao Shengbai capsule showed dramatic improvement in ulcerative colitis symptoms. They recovered lost weight, had shorter disease activity scores, and showed less intestinal shortening and tissue damage compared to untreated mice. The herbal formula significantly reduced inflammatory chemicals in the blood, including TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 beta, which are proteins that trigger inflammation. The treatment also lowered lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial toxin that leaks through damaged intestinal walls and worsens inflammation. These improvements suggest the formula both calms the immune system and repairs the intestinal barrier.
The herbal formula changed the composition of gut bacteria in beneficial ways. It increased levels of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus, bacteria associated with healthy intestines, while decreasing Bacteroides, bacteria that can promote inflammation. The treatment also corrected metabolic imbalances involving amino acids and fatty acids that are disrupted in ulcerative colitis. At the molecular level, the formula suppressed the TLR4/MyD88/NF-kappa-B pathway, which is the immune system’s main alarm system that triggers inflammation. By quieting this pathway, the herbal formula reduces the cascade of inflammatory signals.
Previous research showed that individual herbs within this formula have anti-inflammatory properties. This study is the first to test the complete seven-herb combination for ulcerative colitis. The findings align with existing knowledge that gut bacteria imbalance and intestinal barrier damage drive ulcerative colitis. The results also support the growing scientific interest in how traditional herbal medicines may work through multiple mechanisms simultaneously, rather than targeting a single pathway like many modern drugs.
This study was conducted entirely in mice, so results may not apply to humans. The sample size of mice was not specified, making it unclear whether the findings are statistically robust. The study did not compare the herbal formula to standard ulcerative colitis medications, so we cannot determine if it is more or less effective than current treatments. Long-term safety data in humans is not available. The herbal formula contains seven different herbs, so it is unclear which ingredients are responsible for the benefits.
The Bottom Line
This research provides moderate evidence that Qijiao Shengbai capsule may help treat ulcerative colitis through multiple healing mechanisms. However, human clinical trials are essential before this can be recommended as a treatment. People with ulcerative colitis should not replace their current medical treatment with this herbal formula without consulting their doctor. The formula may potentially be studied as a complementary therapy alongside standard treatments in future research.
This research is most relevant to people with ulcerative colitis, gastroenterologists who treat the disease, and researchers studying traditional Chinese medicine. It may also interest people exploring herbal approaches to inflammatory bowel disease. People currently taking medications for ulcerative colitis should not change their treatment based on this mouse study alone. Those interested in herbal medicine should wait for human clinical trials before considering this formula.
In the mouse study, improvements in disease symptoms appeared within the treatment period. However, realistic timelines for human benefit cannot be determined from animal research. If human trials are conducted, it typically takes 2 to 5 years to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 safety and efficacy studies. Full approval for medical use would require additional years of research and regulatory review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this herbal formula to treat my ulcerative colitis instead of my current medication?
No. This study was conducted only in mice, not humans. You should continue your current medical treatment and consult your doctor before making any changes. Human clinical trials are needed to determine if this formula is safe and effective for people.
How does Qijiao Shengbai capsule reduce inflammation in the gut?
The formula works through multiple mechanisms: it increases beneficial gut bacteria, reduces harmful bacteria, lowers inflammatory chemicals like TNF-alpha and IL-6, and suppresses the TLR4/MyD88/NF-kappa-B immune pathway that triggers inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
When will this herbal formula be available as a treatment for ulcerative colitis?
This mouse study is an early-stage research finding. Human clinical trials would need to be conducted first, which typically takes several years. Even if trials are successful, regulatory approval would require additional time. It is not currently approved for treating ulcerative colitis in most countries.
What are the limitations of this research study?
The study was conducted only in mice, not humans, so results may not apply to people. The sample size was not specified. The formula was not compared to standard ulcerative colitis medications. Long-term safety data in humans is unavailable, and it is unclear which of the seven herbs provides the benefits.
Could this herbal formula help other inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease?
This study focused specifically on ulcerative colitis in mice. Whether the formula helps other inflammatory bowel diseases is unknown and would require separate research. Different diseases may respond differently to the same treatment.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users with ulcerative colitis could track daily symptom severity (abdominal pain, diarrhea frequency, blood in stool) on a 0-10 scale, along with weekly weight measurements and energy levels. This creates a baseline to discuss with their doctor and helps identify patterns.
- If this formula becomes available and approved, users could set reminders to take it consistently while simultaneously tracking their symptoms in the app. They could also log dietary triggers and note any changes in gut health markers like stool consistency or inflammation symptoms.
- Long-term tracking should include monthly symptom summaries, quarterly weight trends, and periodic photos of energy levels and quality of life. Users should share this data with their healthcare provider to determine if the treatment is working and whether adjustments are needed.
This research was conducted in laboratory mice and has not been tested in humans. Qijiao Shengbai capsule is not currently approved by the FDA or most regulatory agencies for treating ulcerative colitis. People with ulcerative colitis should not replace their prescribed medical treatment with this herbal formula without consulting their gastroenterologist or primary care physician. While the findings are promising, human clinical trials are necessary to determine safety and effectiveness in people. Always discuss any herbal supplements or alternative treatments with your healthcare provider before use, especially if you are taking other medications or have existing health conditions.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.