Sepsis-associated acute lung injury (SA-ALI) is a common and life-threatening complication in critically ill patients, for which current therapeutic options remain limited. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory effects with relatively few adverse reactions, showing promising potential in the prevention and treatment of SA-ALI. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, driven by iron metabolism dysregulation, uncontrolled lipid peroxidation chain reaction, and impaired antioxidant defense systems, and it plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SA-ALI. Emerging evidence indicates that TCM agents—such as curcumin, Ginkgo leaves extract, and Xuebijing Injection—can suppress ferroptosis by activating antioxidant signaling pathways, promoting glutathione synthesis, and restoring iron homeostasis, thereby alleviating pulmonary tissue damage. This article systematically reviews recent advances in TCM-mediated targeting of ferroptosis for SA-ALI, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for optimizing clinical strategies and developing novel therapeutics.

traditional Chinese medicine  /  ferroptosis  /  sepsis  /  acute lung injury  /  curcumin  /  Ginkgo leaves extract