Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease involving the colonic mucosa, clinically characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and mucopurulent bloody stools. Rectal drug delivery has emerged as an important approach for UC treatment due to its advantages such as direct access to the lesion site, high local drug concentration, and avoidance of the first-pass effect. In recent years, the continuous development of traditional Chinese medicines, chemical drugs, and various rectal formulations have significantly improved the retention and controlled-release performance of rectal drug delivery systems. This review systematically summarizes the domestic and international development history, biological basis of rectal drug delivery, and the pathogenesis of UC, with a focus on analyzing the progress of formulation innovations and clinical studies in rectal drug delivery for UC treatment over the past five years, aiming to provide a reference for the individualized treatment strategies of UC.

rectal administration  /  ulcerative colitis  /  monotherapy  /  combination therapy  /  formulation innovation  /  clinical research