Ethnopharmacological approaches to inflammation-exploring medicinal plants

Abstract

Since ancient times, plants have been an exemplary source of medicine. Ayurveda and other literature mention the use of plants in treatment of various human ailments. An integrated approach is needed to manage inflammation using the growing body of knowledge gained through scientific developments. Thousands of herbal and traditional compounds are being screened worldwide to validate their use as anti-inflammatory drugs. The present review thus attempts to analyze the ethnobotanical knowledge base for treatment of inflammation which includes usage of plants, methods employed by tribals and folklore practices prevailing in India. Review of literature on anti-inflammatory drugs of plant origin revealed identification of newer Ayurvedic<i> </i>drugs that are not mentioned in the ancient texts. These new findings add up to Ayurvedic science that has been developed through ages.<i> </i>Pharmacological reports available on medicinal plants employing various anti-inflammatory models and its underlying molecular mechanism, wherever available, have also been briefly reviewed. This review therefore, attempts to bridge the lacunae in the existing literature and offers immense scope for researchers engaged in validation of the traditional claims and development of safe and effective and globally accepted herbal drugs for inflammation.