Potential Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: Evidence from Molecular...

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory tract and has become a significant global public health issue. With increasing globalization and environmental challenges, the factors contributing to AR pathogenesis have expanded, leading to a marked rise in its global incidence. Current clinical treatment guidelines recommend antihistamines, glucocorticoids, and leukotriene receptor antagonists for managing the clinical symptoms and pathological changes associated with AR. However, as patients' expectations for quality of life increase, concerns regarding the recurrent nature of AR and the long-term use of pharmacological treatments have grown, particularly concerning the potential side effects and sustained efficacy of these medications. Therefore, the pathogenesis of AR remains a key research focus and a critical entry point for therapeutic intervention. In this context, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with over 2500 years of clinical experience and a comprehensive theoretical framework, has long recognized the condition and offers therapeutic strategies to treat or delay its onset. TCM exerts its effects through multiple mechanisms, including immunomodulation, suppression of oxidative stress, regulation of gut microbiota, inhibition of inflammatory responses, and restoration of normal cellular autophagy and apoptosis. This paper reviews ex vivo and in vivo studies on the use of TCM in AR treatment, focusing on the modulation of various pathogenic mechanisms and the underlying theoretical basis. It aims to identify potential drug sources and expand therapeutic options for AR. In addition, this review analyzes the administration routes and treatment durations of various TCM interventions, offering insights into the development of safe and effective targeted therapies. It also provides guidance for future experimental and clinical research while highlighting the current challenges facing TCM in the management of AR.