Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Properties of Polygonum minus: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential

Inflammation is a complex protective biological response triggered by harmful stimuli such as pathogens, chemical agents, or physical injury, and is closely associated with the development of pain and various chronic diseases. It involves a coordinated cascade of cellular and molecular events, including activation of pattern recognition receptors, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, production of reactive oxygen species, and recruitment of immune cells. Acute inflammation is essential for host defense and tissue repair. However, persistent or dysregulated inflammation may lead to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue damage. Inflammatory pain, a subtype of nociceptive pain, arises from the sensitization of peripheral and central nociceptive pathways by inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, prostaglandins, and nitric oxide. Herbal products have been traditionally used to manage inflammatory diseases due to their bioactive compounds, which modulate inflammatory pathways and alleviate symptoms, and gaining increasing attention due to their multi-targeted mechanisms and lower adverse effects. Polygonum minus (PM), a medicinal herb widely used in Southeast Asia, is rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolics, polygodial and essential oils. Phytochemical studies have identified compounds such as qsiuercetin and myricetin, which exhibit strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Experimental evidence suggested that PM exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition of key inflammatory pathways, including cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (5-LOX), suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and modulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. Additionally, its antioxidant activity contributes to the reduction in oxidative stress, thereby limiting inflammation-induced tissue damage. This review highlights the mechanisms the potential therapeutic role of PM in modulating underlying inflammation and inflammatory pain. The evidence suggested that PM may serve as a potential promising natural agent for the management of inflammation and pain. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its molecular mechanisms and to validate its efficacy and safety in clinical settings.