The application of zebrafish models in the study of traditional Chinese medicine's regulation of the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is a core system for maintaining immune balance, substance metabolism, and internal environmental stability in the body. Abnormalities in its function are closely related to various diseases such as lymphedema, tumor lymph metastasis, and autoimmune diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine, with its advantages of "overall regulation and multi-target action", has shown unique value in the treatment of lymphatic system-related diseases. However, the complex components and mechanism of action have always been a research challenge. The zebrafish model, due to its transparent embryos, rapid development, high homology with humans (about 87%), and strong experimental operability, has become an ideal tool for studying the regulation of the lymphatic system by traditional Chinese medicine. This article systematically elaborates on the structure of the lymphatic vessels in the zebrafish trunk and the construction methods of lymph-related disease models, and focuses on analyzing the application of this model in the regulation of lymphatic development by traditional Chinese medicine, the lymph function under inflammatory conditions, and tumor lymph metastasis. Combined with existing technical challenges, it proposes future development directions, providing references for the mechanism research and new drug development of traditional Chinese medicine in lymphatic system diseases.