Role of medicinal plants on inflammatory diseases: A review

Abstract

Medicinal plants are widely used to promote good health and treat diseases. However due to lack of standardized formulations and systematic studies such as pharmacological target and mechanism of action, it has not been developed as mainstream pharmacotherapy. Over a decade of studies provide a compelling evidence for targeting Nrf2 for treatment of oxidative stress-driven chronic disease including COPD, asthma, rhinosinusitis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer disease. Transcription factor Nrf2 is master regulator of an adaptive cytoprotective stress response program, which includes nearly all cellular antioxidant genes involving in inhibition of oxidative stress. Pharmacological activators of Nrf2 are shown to protect from or mitigate progression of various chronic diseases. Diverse classes of phytochemical such as polyphenol, triterpenoid, isothiocyanate or flavonoid are shown to be potent activators of Nrf2 pathway.