Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Phytochemical Compounds in Sorbus Species

The genus Sorbus comprises more than 250 tree and shrub species whose leaves, fruits and bark have long been used in traditional remedies for inflammatory disorders. Modern phytochemical analyses have identified rich arrays of polyphenolic constituents—principally phenolic acids (such as chlorogenic and caffeoylquinic acids), flavonols (including quercetin and rutin) and proanthocyanidins—that underpin potent anti-inflammatory activities. These compounds exert effects through multiple mechanisms: inhibiting cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes involved in eicosanoid biosynthesis; scavenging reactive oxygen species; and modulating proinflammatory cytokine release from activated immune cells. Advances in extraction and fractionation techniques have allowed the isolation of individual glycosides and oligomeric flavonoids, revealing structure–activity relationships that inform future natural product development. The broad spectrum of inhibitory targets and the relative safety profile of Sorbus extracts highlight their potential as nutraceuticals and functional ingredients in managing chronic inflammatory conditions.

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Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Phytochemical Compounds in Sorbus Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in anti-inflammatory activities of phytochemical compounds in sorbus species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Phytochemicals: Bioactive chemical compounds produced by plants.

Polyphenols: A class of phytochemicals characterised by multiple phenolic rings.

Flavonoids: Polyphenolic compounds with a C6–C3–C6 structure, often anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Phenolic acids: Aromatic acids bearing a phenolic hydroxyl group and a carboxyl function.

Proinflammatory cytokines: Cell signalling proteins (e.g. TNF-α, IL-6) that promote inflammatory responses.

Lipoxygenase (5-LOX): Enzyme catalysing the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids to leukotrienes.

Cyclooxygenase (COX): Enzyme responsible for conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins.

References

1. The Sorbus spp.—Underutilised Plants for Foods and Nutraceuticals: Review on Polyphenolic Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Potential. Antioxidants (2020).
2. Ethnopharmacologically important but underestimated genus Sorbus: a comprehensive review. Phytochemistry Reviews (2020).
3. Profiling of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Dry Extracts from the Selected Sorbus Species. Molecules (2012).
4. Eudraguard® Natural and Protect: New “Food Grade” Matrices for the Delivery of an Extract from Sorbus domestica L. Leaves Active on the α-Glucosidase Enzyme. Pharmaceutics (2023).