FROM TRADITIONAL USE TO MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY: AN UPDATED INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF CLERODENDRUM INERME (L.)

Clerodendrum inerme (L.) [syn. Volkameria inermis] is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat against viral, neurological, metabolic, and inflammatory illnesses. It had not had a comprehensive synthesis of its traditional knowledge and up to date molecular pharmacology even after a number of experimental research. Concentrating on mechanistic data, the present research tries critically to evaluate and revise the pharmacognostic characters, phytochemical structure, and pharmacological action of C. inerme. Relevant materials in the electronic databases, including PUBMED, SCOPUS, and GOOGLE SCHOLAR were carefully searched to obtain literature published until 2025. According to the information now available, the plant is abundant in bioactive secondary metabolites that are linked to a variety of biological activities, including flavonoids, diterpenoids, phenolics, and iridoid glycosides. Through the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory signalling pathways, neurotransmitter systems, and enzyme activity, pharmacological investigations show notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects. However, translational interpretation is constrained by inconsistent experimental design, a lack of standardised extracts, and a paucity of toxicological and clinical data. The present scientific evidence, important research gaps, and future directions for standardisation, mechanistic validation, and clinical evaluation of C. inerme for its possible therapeutic applications are all highlighted in this integrated review.