Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacology of Natural and Plant-Derived Compounds

Plant-derived compounds have long been investigated for their capacity to modulate inflammatory processes with fewer adverse effects than synthetic agents. Secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, terpenoids and phenylethanoid glycosides act on multiple biochemical targets, including the inhibition of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (for example tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-6) and mitigation of oxidative stress through the scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Key signalling pathways, notably nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases, are commonly downregulated by these phytochemicals, leading to reduced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and diminished production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Advances in formulation science, including nanoparticle and encapsulation techniques, have addressed issues of solubility and bioavailability, thereby enhancing therapeutic potential. The global burden of chronic inflammatory diseases—ranging from arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease to neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders—underscores the importance of translating these natural compounds into clinically relevant nutraceuticals and adjunctive pharmaceuticals.

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Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacology of Natural and Plant-Derived Compounds publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in anti-inflammatory pharmacology of natural and plant-derived compounds across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cytokines: Small signalling proteins, including TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, that regulate immune and inflammatory responses.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive oxygen-containing molecules that can induce cellular damage and modulate signalling pathways.

NF-κB: A family of transcription factors that control the expression of genes involved in inflammation and immune responses.

MAPKs: Mitogen-activated protein kinases, a group of serine/threonine kinases that transduce extracellular stress signals into cellular responses.

Prostaglandins: Lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid via cyclooxygenase enzymes, involved in pain, fever and inflammation.

Phytochemicals: Biologically active compounds produced by plants, including flavonoids, terpenoids and glycosides, with diverse therapeutic properties.

References

1. Health Benefits, Pharmacological Effects, Molecular Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential of α-Bisabolol. Nutrients (2022).
2. Anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids and phenylethanoid glycosides from Hosta plantaginea flowers in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2022).
3. Astragalin and Isoquercitrin Isolated from Aster scaber Suppress LPS-Induced Neuroinflammatory Responses in Microglia and Mice. Foods (2022).