Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11.. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.
The claim
Posts online say that stem cell treatment helps with ulcerative colitis.
Where research stands
We found 70 published papers on stem cell treatment and ulcerative colitis. They were published between 2003 and 2026. 2 of them are studies in people. 1 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 38 were studies in animals, and 2 were only in cells in the lab. 14 papers are reviews that sum up other studies. 1 paper was retracted. 3 new studies in people are running or will start soon, says the trial register ClinicalTrials.gov.
- 2In people1 with a comparison group
- 38In animals
- 2Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Stem cell treatment has been tested in randomised trials in people with ulcerative colitis.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- A phase IB/IIA study of remestemcel-L, an allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell product, for the treatment of medically refractory ulcerative colitis: an interim analysis.2022 · Colorectal Dis · Randomised trial
- Safety and Potential Efficacy of Expanded Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Luminal Ulcerative Colitis Patients.2024 · Stem Cells Dev · Study in people
- The emerging role of intestinal stem cells in ulcerative colitis.2025 · Front Med (Lausanne) · Review
- Potential Future Therapeutic Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Exosomes in Ulcerative Colitis.2025 · Curr Stem Cell Res Ther · Review
- Molecular regulation mechanism of intestinal stem cells in mucosal injury and repair in ulcerative colitis.2023 · World J Gastroenterol · Review
- Paeoniflorin promotes intestinal stem cell-mediated epithelial regeneration and repair via PI3K-AKT-mTOR signalling in ulcerative colitis.2023 · Int Immunopharmacol · Review
- Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in the pathogenesis and regenerative therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases.2022 · Front Immunol · Review
- The therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived exosomes in the ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer.2022 · Stem Cell Res Ther · Review
- Potassium Channel Tetramerization Domain-Containing 10 Modulates Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via Regulating Intestinal Stem Cell Function.2026 · Am J Pathol · In animals
- Dioscin activates myeloid AMPK to restore Lgr5⁺ stem cell homeostasis and promote mucosal repair in ulcerative colitis.2026 · Pharmacol Res · In animals
- CBP phosphorylation maintains intestinal homeostasis by supporting the stem cell niche through versican.2026 · Nat Commun · In animals
- Mechanistic study of swertiamarin in treating ulcerative colitis by regulating YAP-mediated Wnt and Notch pathways for intestinal stem cell repair.2026 · Mol Immunol · In animals
- Enhanced Colon Regeneration in Ulcerative Colitis via Mesenchymal Stem Cell Medium and 17-β Estradiol.2026 · Immun Inflamm Dis · In animals
- Intrarectal delivery of chitosan hydrogel-encapsulated mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned media attenuates disease severity in experimental ulcerative colitis.2026 · Inflammopharmacology · In animals
- Intestinal Stem Cells From Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Retain an Epigenetic Memory of Inflammation.2026 · Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol · In the lab
- Establishment of an ulcerative colitis model using colon organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.2024 · iScience · In the lab
- Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combined with Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide attenuate ulcerative colitis.2022 · Bioengineered · RetractedRetracted
- Refractory ulcerative colitis patient keeping complete remission with drug-free after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for ileocecal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.2026 · Clin J Gastroenterol · Other paper
- Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in ulcerative colitis treatment: efficacy and possible mechanisms.2024 · Stem Cell Res Ther · Other paper
- Statement of Retraction: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combined with Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide attenuate ulcerative colitis.2024 · Bioengineered · Other paper
- Colonic stem cell from severe ulcerative colitis maintains environment-independent immune activation by altering chromatin accessibility and global m6A loss.2023 · Life Med · Other paper
