Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Essential Oils and Plant Extracts
Summary
Essential oils and plant extracts represent a diverse reservoir of bioactive compounds with demonstrable anti-inflammatory activity. Central constituents include terpenoids, phenolic acids and flavonoids, which modulate key inflammatory pathways such as cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibition, suppression of nuclear factor-κB signalling, downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (for example tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) and scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Preclinical studies in cultured cells and rodent models have documented reductions in oedema, leukocyte infiltration and tissue damage across dermatological, musculoskeletal and periodontal indications. Globally, there is growing interest in replacing or complementing synthetic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with plant-derived formulations to mitigate adverse effects, support sustainable sourcing and tap into traditional medical knowledge. Advancements in extraction techniques, standardisation of phytochemical profiles and elucidation of pharmacokinetics now enable more rigorous evaluation and optimisation of natural anti-inflammatory agents for potential clinical translation.
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Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Essential Oils and Plant Extracts publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils and plant extracts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Terpenoids: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds derived from isoprene units, many of which display anti-inflammatory activity.
Phenolic acids: Aromatic secondary metabolites with one or more hydroxyl groups attached to an aromatic ring, known for antioxidant and enzyme-inhibitory properties.
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB): A transcription factor that regulates genes involved in inflammation and immune responses; its inhibition reduces cytokine production and cell recruitment.
Cyclooxygenase (COX): Enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) that catalyse prostaglandin synthesis from arachidonic acid; selective or non-selective inhibition can diminish inflammation and pain.
Carrageenan-induced paw oedema: A standard in vivo rodent model of acute inflammation used to assess the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents through measurement of paw swelling.
References
- Antioxidant, Anti-Glycation and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Phenolic Constituents from Cordia sinensis. Molecules (2011).
- Protective effect of topical Cordia verbenacea in a rat periodontitis model: immune-inflammatory, antibacterial and morphometric assays. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2012).
- Evaluation of the antiedematogenic activity of artemetin isolated from Cordia curassavica DC. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (2002).
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