Phytochemicals as Inflammation Regulators: Mechanistic Insights and Translational Potential in Chronic Inflammation-Driven Diseases

Chronic inflammation is a persistent immune response that causes tissue damage over time by continuously releasing inflammatory mediators and contributing to the development of diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, NAFLD, chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions, posing a major public health challenge. NSAIDs serve as primary medications to treat inflammation; their prolonged use is often limited due to adverse effects, necessitating the need to develop safer and more effective therapeutics. Medicinal flora is a rich source of natural products that have served as crucial resources for the development of therapeutics and continue to be vital in modern drug development. Identifying NPs is highly significant for drug discovery, as they offer promising leads for developing safe and effective anti-inflammatory therapies. This review systematically summarizes 56 medicinal plants with antiinflammatory properties, including the type of extract used, the plant part employed, and mechanistic insights from in vitro and in vivo studies. Representative examples from key natural product classes are highlighted, with a focus on their mechanisms of action, relevant molecular pathways, and pharmacological targets involved in modulating inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the review discusses the therapeutic potential of these plant-derived compounds in managing inflammationassociated diseases such as NAFLD, RA, and IBD, with a focus on advancing their development through integration with modern drug discovery technologies. This review will serve as a compilation that combines various research results, making it easier to identify promising candidates for further pharmacological analysis, useful for the management of inflammation and associated disorders.