Phytochemical Analysis of Anti-Inflammatory Compounds in Medicinal Plants
Summary
Medicinal plants have long been valued as sources of anti-inflammatory agents, with contemporary research focusing on the isolation, characterisation and quantification of active phytochemicals. Key compound classes include coumarins, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids, each capable of modulating inflammatory pathways by scavenging reactive oxygen species, inhibiting cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, or suppressing nuclear factor-κB signalling. Modern analytical platforms such as high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and spectroscopic methods permit detailed profiling of plant extracts, while in vitro and in vivo bioassays validate their efficacy in models of oedema, colitis and protein denaturation. Integration of ethnobotanical knowledge with advanced phytochemical analysis accelerates discovery of novel lead compounds, guiding formulation of phytopharmaceuticals and supporting sustainable utilisation of global plant biodiversity in the management of inflammatory disorders.
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Phytochemical Analysis of Anti-Inflammatory Compounds in Medicinal Plants publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical analysis of anti-inflammatory compounds in medicinal plants across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Coumarins: A class of benzopyrone phytochemicals with known anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties.
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC): A technique for separating, identifying and quantifying components in complex plant extracts.
Furanocoumarins: A subset of coumarins containing a furan ring, such as bergapten, often exhibiting bioactive effects including modulation of inflammatory pathways.
IC50: The concentration of a substance required to inhibit a specified biological process by 50%, used to assess potency.
Mast cell degranulation: The release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells, a central event in allergic and inflammatory reactions.
References
- Phytochemical investigation and assessment of the anti-inflammatory activity of four Heracleum taxa growing in Turkey. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2025).
- Protective effect of bergapten in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. Heliyon (2020).
- Protective Effect of Bergapten against Human Erythrocyte Hemolysis and Protein Denaturation In Vitro. International Journal of Inflammation (2021).
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