Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals from Morinda Species

Members of the genus Morinda, notably Morinda officinalis and Morinda citrifolia, have long been used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemical investigations have identified diverse classes of bioactive constituents, including iridoid glycosides, anthraquinones, flavonoids and coumarins. These compounds modulate key inflammatory mediators by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes, suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release and attenuating oxidative stress. Recent structural elucidation and bioactivity studies have delineated structure–activity relationships for specific anthraquinone and iridoid derivatives, highlighting molecular features essential to potency and selectivity. Emerging evidence suggests synergistic effects among co-occurring phytochemicals, further amplifying anti-inflammatory responses. The global significance of these findings extends to potential development of plant-derived therapeutics for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and neuroinflammation, offering alternatives to synthetic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and their associated side effects.

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Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals from Morinda Species publication trend

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

Technical terms

Phytochemical: A naturally occurring bioactive compound produced by plants.

Iridoid glycoside: A class of monoterpenoid compounds linked to sugar residues, often exhibiting anti-inflammatory activity.

Anthraquinone: Aromatic organic compounds characterised by a three-ring quinone structure, frequently implicated in enzyme inhibition.

MAPK signalling pathway: A key intracellular cascade (mitogen-activated protein kinases) regulating gene expression in response to inflammatory stimuli.

NF-κB signalling pathway: A transcription factor pathway (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) central to the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2): An inducible enzyme responsible for the formation of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins.

Cytokines: Small secreted proteins (e.g., interleukins, tumour necrosis factor) that modulate immune cell communication and inflammation.

References

1. Iridoid glycosides from Morinda officinalis How. exert anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects through inactivating MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2020).