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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 7, 2026; 32(45): 121899
Published online Dec 7, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.121899
Published online Dec 7, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.121899
Targeting inflammasome in digestive diseases: A dual approach of Western and Chinese medicine
Qing Qi, Jia-Ling Li, Jing Yu, Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China
Cheng-Hui Zhu, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liaoning Provincial Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang 110031, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Qi Q and Zhu CH have been involved in drafting the manuscript, designed the research study; Qi Q, Li JL, and Yu J performed the research; Li JL and Yu J collected and analyzed the data; all authors have been involved in revising it critically for important intellectual content, participated sufficiently in the work to take public responsibility for appropriate portions of the content and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to its accuracy or integrity, give final approval of the version to be published.
AI contribution statement: The AI tools were only used to polish the “answering-reviewers” file.
Supported by Liaoning Province Science and Technology Plan Joint Plan (Natural Science Foundation-General Program), No. 2025-MSLH-495.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Jing Yu, Chief Physician, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 33 Beiling Street, Shenyang 110032, Liaoning Province, China. yujingliaoning@163.com
Received: April 8, 2026
Revised: May 25, 2026
Accepted: September 17, 2026
Published online: December 7, 2026
Processing time: 189 Days and 20.8 Hours
Revised: May 25, 2026
Accepted: September 17, 2026
Published online: December 7, 2026
Processing time: 189 Days and 20.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: The activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome is connected with some digestive system diseases through inflammation and pyroptosis. At present, Western medicine focuses on this problem, but no inhibitor has been used in digestive diseases and some serious side effects (such as hepatotoxicity) also occur, together with unsuccessful clinical trials. On the contrary, traditional Chinese medicine regulates it from various aspects. A combined therapy involving both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine may exhibit an additive effect and provides a promising precise therapeutic approach for digestive disorders.