Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease with complex causes that are closely associated with environmental, genetic, and immune factors. However, the precise etiology and pathogenesis remain under investigation in clinical practice. Extensive research has demonstrated that cytokines play a pivotal role in the development, occurrence, and prognosis of UC, with an imbalance between pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory factors being a significant contributor. Given that UC is challenging to cure, therapeutic options such as hormones and aminosalicylic acid are commonly employed. While treatments including Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and other approaches have shown some efficacy, substantial breakthroughs are still lacking. Cytokines, therefore, represent a critical focus in understanding the pathogenesis of UC. This review explores the therapeutic pathways of cytokines and their antagonists.
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