Therapeutic Efficacy, Regulatory Frameworks, and Socioeconomic Implications of Plant-Based Anti-Inflammatory Treatments: A Critical Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46325/bt80yw74Keywords:
Plant-based treatments, inflammation, ethnopharmacology, regulatory frameworks, socio-economic impact, integrative medicine.Abstract
This critical review evaluates the evolving landscape of botanical anti-inflammatory therapeutics by synthesizing global literature published between 2014 and 2025. Encompassing data from Africa, Asia, and the Americas, the analysis elucidates the interplay between pharmacological efficacy, regulatory frameworks, and socio-economic drivers in plant-based therapeutics. Key findings indicate that specific bioactive constituents, notably alkaloids and flavonoids, exhibit substantial promise in mitigating inflammation associated with chronic pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. However, a significant translational gap remains; while preclinical data is robust, there is a paucity of large-scale, randomized human clinical trials necessary to validate these findings for mainstream medical use. Furthermore, the global integration of these therapies is impeded by fragmented regulatory standards and persistent ethical concerns regarding biopiracy and equitable benefit-sharing, despite the critical role these affordable remedies play in underserved communities. The review concludes that the future of integrative healthcare depends on harmonizing global policies and integrating traditional practices and modern science through the adoption of rigorous clinical validation and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and nanomedicine.
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