European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Inflammation is a natural immune process caused by physiological disturbance in the body. The characteristic signs of inflammation are redness, heat, swelling, pain and loss of function. This whole process is a protection mechanism produced by the body following any injury.
But sometimes this also ends up harming the body. For such times drugs are needed to suppress this condition, they are called anti inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs are the widely used drugs of choice. Examples are aspirin, diclofenac, mefenamic acid etc. But the prolonged use of these drugs is also known to produce side effects. Many plants are said to contain phytoconstituents that possess anti inflammatory activity. Since plants are natural, easily available and produce little to no side effects, they are believed to be a safer source of cures or drugs.
The aim of this review is to determine the state of knowledge on medicinal plants and their antiinflammatory activity. This review discusses how plants may be used in medicine for their anti inflammatory activity.