A comprehensive review on anti-inflammatory plants: a mechanistic insight through preclinical and clinical studies

Inflammatory diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic agents. Natural products, particularly plant-derived compounds, have emerged as promising candidates for managing inflammation due to their diverse bioactive constituents and significant safety. The present review provides a comprehensive analysis of the anti-inflammatory potential of medicinal plants, their mechanisms of action, and their therapeutic relevance in preclinical and clinical studies. A total of 94 medicinal plants and isolated compounds with reported anti-inflammatory activities have been discussed, with their mode of action including different signaling pathways, viz., inhibition of COX, LOX, cytokine modulation, and oxidative stress reduction. Despite substantial preclinical validation, the translation of these findings into clinical applications remains limited. Further research focusing on bioactive compound isolation, molecular pharmacology, and clinical trials is essential to establish plant-based therapeutics as viable alternatives to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.