The interactions between gut microbiota and Chinese herbal medicine in colorectal cancer

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), with a range of pharmacological and molecular targets, has unique advantages in the comprehensive treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its clinical application remains limited owing to undetermined anti-CRC mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that gut microbes mediate the intestinal barrier, metabolism, and immunity, which, in turn, affect CRC initiation, progression, and CHM therapy. Here, we summarize the mechanisms and clinical applications of the gut microbiota involved in CRC, together with the latest studies of CHM in CRC therapy and its anti-tumor molecular basis from the gut microbiota perspective. This review highlights the gut microbiota as a “bridge” to clarify the scientific of CHM in treating CRC. More efforts should be focused on how the gut microbiome interacts with CHM to elucidate the mechanism of action of CHM and provide a more applicable basis for CHM- and microbiota-related therapies for the treatment of CRC.