Gut microbiota as a therapeutic target of Chinese herbal medicine in allergic rhinitis: the gut-nasal axis and immunity.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent chronic noninfectious inflammatory disorder. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota, as a central component of the human microecological system, plays an important role in the development and progression of AR through the gut-nasal axis. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been shown to improve clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with AR, and these therapeutic benefits may be related to its capacity to modulate gut microbial composition and activity. This review outlines the effects of CHM on the gut microbiota in AR and further explores the possible mechanisms involved.