A REVIEW ON ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS: CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Inflammation is an essential component of the innate immune response and serves as a protective mechanism against harmful stimuli such as physical injury, infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and allergens. Although beneficial in acute phases, uncontrolled or chronic inflammation is associated with the development of numerous diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, and cancer. During inflammatory responses, mediators such as interleukins, interferons, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are released, producing the characteristic signs of redness, pain, heat, swelling, and loss of function. Natural products have long played a significant role in managing inflammatory conditions, even with the availability of synthetic agents such as NSAIDs. Many medicinal plants contain bioactive secondary metabolites capable of modulating key steps in the inflammatory cascade by targeting pathways including COX, LOX, NF-κB, and oxidative stress. Numerous studies continue to highlight the anti-inflammatory potential of plant extracts, essential oils, and isolated phytochemicals. This review compiles recent findings on these natural agents, emphasizing their mechanisms of action and relevance in inflammation-associated metabolic disorders. It also provides updated insights on traditionally used plants that have only recently been scientifically evaluated for their anti-inflammatory properties.