Himalayan medicinal plants for gastrointestinal disorders: ethnopharmacology and mechanistic insights

The Himalayan region has a rich and diverse flora specially of medicinal plants, many of which are traditionally used to treat various gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. GI disorders significantly contribute to global morbidity and mortality, and their prevalence is closely linked to dietary habits and lifestyle patterns. Since ancient times, plant-based or herbal medicines have played a crucial role in treating various ailments worldwide. Medicinal herbs are known to be rich sources of bioactive compounds with strong pharmacological and therapeutic potential. Numerous studies have reported the use of such plants for managing digestive disorders, highlighting their efficacy and minimal side effects compared to modern drugs. The growing preference for natural remedies has led to a renewed interest in exploring plant-based treatments for GI ailments. This review aims to compile and document twenty-nine medicinal plants found in the Himalayan region for the treatment of GI disorders, along with their active constituents, mechanisms of action, and supporting scientific evidence. These medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds like kaempferol, resveratrol, punicalagin, cinnamaldehyde, berberine, swertiamarin showing significant therapeutic potential. Experimental evidence from in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that these bioactive compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer and gastroprotective properties. These properties contribute to the therapeutic potential of Himalayan medicinal plants in treating GI disorders. Their traditional relevance, documented efficacy and limited clinical validation highlight the necessity of additional research and validation for successful integration into the modern healthcare systems.