[Research progress in molecular mechanism of programmed cell death in bronchial asthma and traditional Chinese...

Bronchial asthma(abbreviated as asthma) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, reversible airflow limitation, and chronic inflammation. Its global prevalence keeps rising and the disease burden is increasing. The pathophysiological process of this disease involves the interaction of multiple links, including complex mechanisms such as inflammation-immunity imbalance, abnormal epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and airway remodeling. The abnormal regulation of programmed cell death(PCD) has gradually become a research hotspot. PCD, an autonomous cell death process precisely regulated by genes, is crucial for maintaining homeostasis of the organism. The latest research has revealed that various PCD patterns such as apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and PANoptosis are involved in the occurrence and development of asthma by mediating pathological processes such as airway inflammatory immune responses and airway remodeling. Breakthrough research progress has been achieved in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) intervention of asthma by targeting PCD via multiple targets and pathways. This article delves into the PCD-related molecular mechanisms in asthma and systematically reviews the mechanisms by which TCM active components(such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinones) and compound prescriptions(such as Shegan Mahuang Decoction, Jiangqi Pingxiao Formula, and Wuwei Shaji Powder) ameliorate airway inflammation and remodeling by interfering with the PCD pathway, aiming to provide theoretical support and new drug research directions for the clinical prevention and treatment of asthma.