Plants as Sources of Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Abstract

Plants represent the main source of molecules for the development of new drugs, which intensifies the interest of transnational industries in searching for substances obtained from plant sources, especially since the vast majority of species have not yet been studied chemically or biologically, particularly concerning anti-inflammatory action. Anti-inflammatory drugs can interfere in the pathophysiological process of inflammation, to minimize tissue damage and provide greater comfort to the patient. Therefore, it is important to note that due to the existence of a large number of species available for research, the successful development of new naturally occurring anti-inflammatory drugs depends mainly on a multidisciplinary effort to find new molecules. Although many review articles have been published in this regard, the majority presented the subject from a limited regional perspective. Thus, the current article presents highlights from the published literature on plants as sources of anti-inflammatory agents.

Keywords: bioactive compounds; drugs; inflammation.

Figure 1

(A): Chemical structure of alkaloids: Ephedrine. (B): Basic Flavonoid Structure, (C): Chemical structure of saponins: Glycyrrhizin, (D): Structure of condensed tannin, (E): Structure of terpenoids and phenylpropanoids, (F): Structure of hydrolysable tannins: Galotannins and Ellagitannins [74,90].