Sambucus ebulus L. Fruits: Phytochemistry, Molecular Mechanisms, and Biological Activities in Inflammation,...

Sambucus ebulus L. (dwarf elder) is a polyphenol-rich medicinal plant with a long history of ethnopharmacological use whose biological potential remains substantially underexplored. This narrative review examines the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative properties of S. ebulus fruit preparations and their molecular mechanisms. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (no lower date limit; upper limit May 2026) using "Sambucus ebulus" and related terms combined with relevant biological and pathway keywords; studies restricted to non-fruit tissues or lacking phytochemical characterization were excluded or flagged. The fruits contain anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, and stilbenes that collectively modulate NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, and Nrf2 signaling. Available evidence is predominantly in vitro, with limited in vivo data, and two human intervention studies. Data support anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative activities that appear to arise from the combined action of multiple phytochemicals. Critical limitations of available research include the absence of clinical trials, limited pharmacokinetic data, lack of standardized preparations, and insufficient formal safety characterization, all of which must be addressed before translational application can be considered.