Anti-inflammatory Activity of Plants

As a result of the inherent problems associated with the current anti-inflammatory agents, there is continuous search especially from natural sources for alternative agents. A good number of plants are employed in the treatment of inflammatory disorders by natural healers. Some of these plants include Aloe vera, Consolida regalis, Chasmanthera dependens, Culcasia scandens, Crataeva religiosa, Tanacetum vulgare, Holmskioldia sanguinea, Mitracarpus scaber, Turner ulmifolia, etc. Most of these plants have demonstrated varying activities in the various in vivo and in vitro inflammatory models. The potency of these plants is attributed to several active principles present in them, which may act at any of the multiple targets in the inflammatory response pathway. In addition to anti-inflammatory activity, some of these plants also possess beneficial properties such as antimicrobial, analgesic, antipyretic and antiulcer effects. These additional effects complement the inherent anti-inflammatory activity and may confer advantage on these plants. Some active anti-inflammatory principles of these plants have been identified, isolated and characterized. They include - lupeol, premnazole, (+) - usnic acid, (+) - pinitol, zanhasaponins A and B, sasanquol, parthenolide etc. These compounds could provide drugs with comparative advantage over existing agents and may as well serve as leads for further development into more active drugs with lesser adverse effects. This review discusses some of these plants with putative anti-inflammatory properties.