key: cord-0002444-pmaoqsb3 authors: Arulselvan, Palanisamy; Fard, Masoumeh Tangestani; Tan, Woan Sean; Gothai, Sivapragasam; Fakurazi, Sharida; Norhaizan, Mohd Esa; Kumar, S. Suresh title: Role of Antioxidants and Natural Products in Inflammation date: 2016-10-10 journal: Oxid Med Cell Longev DOI: 10.1155/2016/5276130 sha: 891be4e9dc60d9b0c9ff79d35e11576ceeb8a592 doc_id: 2444 cord_uid: pmaoqsb3 Inflammation is a comprehensive array of physiological response to a foreign organism, including human pathogens, dust particles, and viruses. Inflammations are mainly divided into acute and chronic inflammation depending on various inflammatory processes and cellular mechanisms. Recent investigations have clarified that inflammation is a major factor for the progression of various chronic diseases/disorders, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, eye disorders, arthritis, obesity, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory bowel disease. Free radical productions from different biological and environmental sources are due to an imbalance of natural antioxidants which further leads to various inflammatory associated diseases. In this review article, we have outlined the inflammatory process and its cellular mechanisms involved in the progression of various chronic modern human diseases. In addition, we have discussed the role of free radicals-induced tissue damage, antioxidant defence, and molecular mechanisms in chronic inflammatory diseases/disorders. The systematic knowledge regarding the role of inflammation and its associated adverse effects can provide a clear understanding in the development of innovative therapeutic targets from natural sources that are intended for suppression of various chronic inflammations associated diseases. In the early nineteenth century, inflammation has become one of the most serious and interesting investigation research areas among biomedical researchers. The microcirculation is the main playground where the process of inflammatory cascade was evaluated and analyzed [1] . Inflammation includes a long chain of molecular reactions and cellular activity, which are designed to restore a tissue from simple skin cut or to repair tissue after giving birth or to cure several burn injuries. An inflammatory process in cellular and tissue levels includes a series of occasions with dilation of venules and arterioles, enhanced blood vessel permeability, and blood flow with percolation of leukocytes into the tissues [2] . Moreover, a dysfunction of tissue via proteolytic activity and regeneration of new humoral production for cell growth and reformation of novel functional and connective tissue are observed through a typical inflammatory response [1] . An inflammation cascade, which does not reach to resolution state, contributes to organ disorder and death. The inflammatory cascade is preprogrammed and stereotyped, and it is the only identified mechanism for restoration of tissue after injury. In the recent years, inflammation is one of the major target research areas among biomedical researchers, which includes various cellular processes (e.g., phagocytosis, chemotaxis, mitosis, and cell differentiation) [1] . There are several studies described on how the immune system (cellular immunity and antibodies) leads to an inflammatory response, Stages of inflammation depend on the duration of the process as well as various immune factors and inflammation has been classified into two different classes which are acute and chronic processes ( Figure 1 ). Acute inflammation is a short procedure, lasting from minutes to a few days, and its major features are leakage of plasma proteins or fluid and movement of leukocytes into an extravascular area [3] . These cellular and vascular reactions are intermediated by chemical factors produced from cells or plasma and are responsible for the classic clinical symptoms of inflammation such as swelling, redness, pain, warmth, and loss of function. Even though an inflammatory response can happen in any injurious stimulus, the characteristic of this process is the reaction of vascularized connective tissue [3] . There are three main steps in acute inflammatory responses which include enhanced blood flow to inflame area, followed by vasodilatation and enhanced vascular permeability with leakage of plasma from the microcirculation, and phagocytic leukocyte migration to the surrounding tissue [1, 3, 4] (Figure 2 ). The first alterations noticed during inflammation are changes in the vascular flow and alterations in the caliber of small blood vessels. Newly generated capillary vessels and larger arterioles enhance the blood flow to this region. Progressive alterations in the endothelium boost the vascular permeability of the microvasculature, causing an escape of the fluid into an extravascular area which acquires the process to the next step [3] . The reduced volume of fluid in the lumen of blood vessels improves the viscosity of the blood and decreases the flow rate. Finally, after these changes in blood circulation, the margination of leukocytes begins and leukocytes adhere to the endothelium, at first, by rolling and then adhesion. Subsequently, they move through the vascular wall (transmigration) into the interstitial tissue. At this stage, the crucial purpose of acute inflammation, which is supplying leukocytes and plasma mediators to the injured area, is obtained [3, 4] . Based on the type of infection (bacteria, virus, parasite, etc.) the sensors, mediators, and target tissues are differed during inflammatory response [5] . For example, bacterial pathogens are recognized via receptors of the innate immune system like Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that are expressed in tissue-resident macrophages and stimulate the generation of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-, IL-1 , and IL-6), chemokines (e.g., chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 and chemokine CXC motif ligand 8), and PGE2 [6] . These inflammatory productions then react on target tissues which include local blood vessels to stimulate vasodilation, extravasation of neutrophils, and leakage of plasma into the infected site (acute inflammation). Then, neutrophils tissue-resident macrophages and mast cells find the pathogens to eliminate them. This process is assisted by components of plasma and initiated by antibodies and its components. Classical pathway of complement is initiated by producing antibodies by natural antibodies, C-reactive protein, or serum amyloid protein [5] . Basically, microbes activate the classical pathway of complement through binding to C1q or mannose-binding lectin. Then, for the generation of the C3 convertase in classical pathway C2 and C4 components are required. C3 convertases cleave C3 to C3a and C3b and C3b then leads to the formation of the C5 convertase which generates C5a and C5b. Following that, C5b suppressed the production of C5b-9 terminal complement complex and then incorporated into bacterial cell walls and lysed them [3, 6] . These extremely powerful mediators and effectors do not discriminate among microbial and host targets; thus, harm to host tissues is inescapable [7, 8] . An effective acute inflammatory reaction results in the removal of infectious factors followed by a repair and resolution stage that is mediated via tissue-resident macrophages [9] . The shift in lipid markers from proinflammatory prostaglandins to lipoxins, which have anti-inflammatory effects, is vital for the changes from inflammation to resolution. In this stage, lipoxins decrease the role of neutrophils and, alternatively, activate the role of monocytes, which eliminate dead cells and trigger tissue remodeling. Protectins and resolvins which constitute another class of lipid marker in addition to TGFand other growth factors generated from macrophages also have a vital role in the resolution of inflammation including the foundation of tissue repair [9, 10] . Inflammation is a vital response of human immune system. Nevertheless, the state of chronic inflammation can have several secondary consequences in biological response associated with enhanced risk of chronic diseases and disorders. Chronic inflammation in tissue usually happens when inflammatory responses are in the absence of an actual stimulus. It usually occurs through infections that are not resolved either within endogenous protection mechanisms or via some other resistance mechanism from host defences [11] . They can also happen from physical or chemical agents, which cannot be broken down, as well as from some kind of genetic susceptibility. Persistence of foreign bodies, continuous chemical exposures, recurrent acute inflammation, or specific pathogens are all crucial reasons for chronic inflammation [12] (Figure 3 ). Molecular and cellular process of chronic inflammation is varied and depends on the type of inflamed cells and organ [13] . For example, in Western countries, chronic liver disease (CLD) mainly is related to chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis C infection, metabolic disease, alcohol consumption, drug/toxin-induced liver injury, and/or autoimmune causes, which include immune-mediated biliary disease. Hence, CLD is an important public health burden and is a main cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality [14] . Hepatic inflammation is one of the common types of liver illnesses and is known as the major driver of hepatic tissue damage contributing to fibrogenesis and hepatocellular carcinoma [15] . The inflammatory response throughout CLD can lead to innate immune system, which is the initial step of the body immune system toward invading pathogens and is vital for the overall survival of the host body. Liver innate immune cells include Kupffer cells, neutrophils, monocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer T cells, and natural killer cells and initiate and maintain hepatic inflammation through cytokine generation [16] . An unregulated cytokine production balance after liver injury can lead to hepatocytes cell death, which is a key discovery in several acute and chronic liver illnesses [17] . Inflammatory process which is too strong or fails to reach to resolution stage will become chronic and it will lead to the loss of the large amount of hepatocytes, leading to liver parenchyma damage [18] . Since myofibroblast can regenerate from hepatic stem cells, which can be replaced by dead hepatocytes, this can lead to an unresolved inflammatory response that can stimulate fibrotic/cirrhotic which can be distinguished through an irreversible decrease in liver function test [19] . A usual molecular feature of hepatitis is presence of damage of liver tissue and inflammatory cells. Inflammation exists in patients with infections, environmental diseases (asbestos exposure and smoke inhalation, etc.), immune diseases, and chronic diseases like diabetes, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and so forth. Nowadays, it has also been evident that a variety of illnesses have shown inflammatory response such as venous and chronic arterial diseases [20] [21] [22] , myocardial ischemia [23, 24] , Alzheimer's disease, acute cerebral stroke [22] , cancer, and arterial hypertension [25] . Since many decades ago, there are also a diversity of clinical observations and molecular data for inflammation in osteoarthritis [26, 27] . In addition, there are some indicators of inflammation in highly depressed patients [28] . The numbers of illnesses, which are related to molecular mediators of inflammation, are large and expanding. Medical researchers have also proved that inflammation is related to obesity [29, 30] and insufficient typical physical exercise [31] . Currently, inflammation has become a vital topic for the study of human illness. Anti-inflammatory compounds, which have proven to be useful in one particular disease, could possibly turn out to be useful in another disease. Interestingly, it could open a huge range of possibilities for intervention in utilizing anti-inflammatory compounds [1] ( Figure 4 ). A free radical is a molecule or atom that carries one or more unpaired electrons and is able to exist independently [32] . Meanwhile, free radicals have an odd number of electrons; this makes them short lived, highly reactive, and unstable. Consequently, it can react quickly with other substances trying to catch the required electron to obtain stability. Free radical can become balanced by attacking the closest stable molecule and "stealing" its electron. Meanwhile the attacked molecule can become a free radical by losing its electron and start a chain reaction cascade causing damage to the living cell [33] . Examples of free radicals are hydroxyl free radical, superoxide free radical anion, lipid peroxyl, lipid peroxide, and lipid alkoxyl. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are radical derivatives such as singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide [32, 33] (Table 1) . Normal cellular metabolism produces ROS and these play crucial roles in activation of signaling pathways in animal and plant cells which alter the intra-and extracellular metabolism. Almost most of the ROS are produced in cells through the mitochondrial respiratory chain [32, 33] . During endogenous metabolic reactions, aerobic cells generate ROS (e.g., superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and hydroxyl radical and organic peroxides) as the usual products of biological diminution of molecular oxygen. Within hypoxic situation, the mitochondrial respiratory chain also generates nitric oxide (NO), which can produce other reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [32] . RNS can produce other additional reactive species, for example, reactive aldehydes-malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, by inducing excessive lipid peroxidation. Lipids and proteins are important targets for oxidative attack and alteration of these molecules can enhance the mutagenesis process [34, 35] . In inflammatory response, leukocytes and mast cells are present in the damage regions which direct to a "respiratory burst" as a result of an enhanced uptake of oxygen and therefore enhance the production and release of ROS at the damaged area [34, 35] . However, inflammatory cells generate more soluble inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, arachidonic acid, and chemokines, which act through active inflammatory cells in the area of infection and release more reactive species. These essential markers can stimulate signal transduction cascades in addition to alterations in transcription factors, like nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, activator protein-1, NF-E2 related factor-2, nuclear factor of activated T cells, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF1-), which mediate vital cellular stress reactions. Initiation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducibility of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and high expression of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-), interleukin-1 (IL-1 ), IL-6, and chemokines (CXC chemokine receptor 4), in addition to changes in the expression of specific microRNAs, have also been exhibited to have a role in oxidative stress-induced inflammation [36, 37] . This inflammatory/oxidative environment triggers an unhealthy circle, which can harm healthy stromal cells and neighboring epithelial cells, which after a long period of time may trigger carcinogenesis [33, 36] . In normal and healthy body condition, there is a balance between reactive oxygen species formation/free radical and endogenous antioxidant defence mechanisms. However, if this equilibrium is disturbed, it can lead to oxidative stress and associated damage. This oxidative stress condition can cause injury to all vital cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and membrane lipids and it may lead to cell death [38] . As a result, it can cause numerous diseases which include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, cancer, degenerative diseases, ischemia, and anemia [39] ( Figure 5 ). Anti-Inflammatory Agents. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 80% of the world inhabitants utilized traditional medicine for their primary health care needs and the majority of this therapy requires the use of herbal extracts and their active components. Various medicinal plant bioactive extracts and their identified/isolated active constituents have shown a variety of medicinal pharmacological properties against various acute and chronic diseases/disorders [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] . Currently, the impact of oxidative stress and its associated factors has become an important issue of human health [50] . When the body is under a lot of stress, the production of ROS (e.g., hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion radicals, and hydrogen peroxide) is amplified [51] . Endogenous enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant substance are not able to handle the overload of ROS and lead to imbalances of the process, cell damage [52] , and health problems [53] . Lack of antioxidant compounds in daily diet can lead to the development of degenerative diseases [50] such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases [51] , Alzheimer's disease, neurodegenerative diseases [54] , and various inflammatory illnesses. Incorporation of antioxidant compounds by consuming natural plant sources in the daily diet can be a suitable solution to solve human health issues. These natural antioxidant sources can be used as a preventive medicine. Recent investigation suggested that there is an inverse link between the dietary consumption of antioxidantrich foods and prevalence of human illness [50] . Numerous studies exhibited that flavonoids and phenolic content have contributed to the antioxidant activities of natural compounds. In addition, other studies also reported that trace metals such as Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, and Se perform a significant function in antioxidant system [39] . Moreover, dietary antioxidants including tocopherols, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid have been investigated [50] . Several synthetic antioxidant supplements have been produced to remediate oxidative stress. Nevertheless, the factors such as lack of availability, high cost, and side effects remain as the main challenge in dealing with oxidative stress. For example, butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene have been widely used as a synthetic antioxidant in food industry and could possibly cause side effects like carcinogenesis and liver damage [50] . However, natural antioxidants are abundant in several plant sources, free from side effects, and less expensive. The natural compound based antioxidant substances perform a preventive role in protecting against the generation of free radicals and therefore natural based antioxidants are one of the more valuable therapeutic agents to reduce the illnesses triggered by oxidative stress [39] . Besides having antioxidant activities the flavonoids and phenolic compounds also exert an effective role as antiinflammatory factors. The anti-inflammatory activities of natural compounds have been reported in several studies and have been observed in numerous preclinical studies [39] . The findings from anti-inflammatory researches have proven that bioactive extracts and their natural compounds exert their biological properties by blocking two major signaling pathways such as NF-B and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) which have the main role in the production of various proinflammatory mediators. In this review article, we have discussed below the anti-inflammatory potential of medicinal plants and their mechanisms whose information was obtained from PubMed in the year between 2014 and 2015. Their Active Constituents The bioactive compounds from Cassia occidentalis roots were identified and isolated from the ethyl acetate extract and they were found to suppress LPS-induced IL-1 , TNF-, and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner in macrophages. From these active compounds, emodin and chrysophanol were also found active in inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines in vivo experimental model. This investigation has proven C. occidentalis roots extract and isolated active compounds as an effective natural therapy for the treatment and prevention of inflammation and associated ailments [62] . Ham. (C. nurvala) has been traditionally measured as medicinally important plant for treating immune function related disorders and other metabolic disorders. It has various active components which are responsible for anti-inflammatory and associated complications such as lupeol, lupeol acetate, -spinasterol acetate, Ψ-taraxasterol, 3-epi-lupeol, andsitosterol as its major components and lupenone andsitosterol acetate as its minor components [65] . Suppression of various inflammatory mediators' production by the extract of C. nurvala was followed by downregulation of mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs), specifically extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) [66] . is one of the traditional Chinese medicines for various diseases/disorders. Recently, researchers have isolated the bioactive compounds, namely, fulgidic acid and pinellic acid responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties (Figure 9 ). Fulgidic acid, an unsaturated trihydroxy C18 fatty acid, effectively suppressed the LPS-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines and various inflammatory mediators through inactivation of AP-1 transcription factor when compared to another active compound, pinellic acid [67] . Nine new withanolides, named daturafolisides A-I (1-9), along with six known compounds (22R) -27-hydroxy-7 -methoxy-1-oxowitha-3,5,24trienolide-27-O--d-glucopyranoside, daturataturin A, daturametelin J, daturataurin B, baimantuoluoside B, and 12deoxywithastramonolide, were identified and isolated from the leaves of Datura metel L. Various spectroscopic techniques including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, mass spectrometry, and circular dichroism (CD) were applied to elucidate the compounds. These isolated compounds were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory potential using LPSstimulated murine macrophages, and these compounds have significant anti-inflammatory properties [68] . These extracts significantly suppressed paw edema by carrageenan in the 2nd hour at 20 mg/kg and by dextran in the 1st hour at 100 mg/kg, after induction with the phlogistic agents. Besides, it has reduced total leukocytes and neutrophils migration at all different doses tested producing maximum effect at 20 mg/kg and also suppressed the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and TNF-) and increased the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the peritonitis model [69] . is a well-known functional food and Chinese herbal medicine used to treat various inflammation associated diseases. According to Sogo et al. [71] the active compound, delphinidin 3-sambubioside (Dp3-Sam), a Hibiscus anthocyanin from dried calices, was isolated and this compound was proven as an anticancer drug against human leukemia cells. In addition, Sogo et al. [71] discovered that anthocyanin aglycones, especially delphinidin (Dp) and cyanidin (Cy), and these compounds effectively inhibit the expression of inflammatory mediators including COX-2 and PGE2 ( Figure 10 ). In described mechanism of active compound, delphinidin 3sambubioside (Dp3-Sam) compound significantly downregulated the NF-B pathway and ERK1/2 signaling through suppression of numerous inflammatory mediators. Ethyl acetate fraction of the H. cordata extract downregulated the NO, PGE2, TNF-, and IL-6 production in the inflammation stimulated cells and iNOS and COX-2 expression. In addition, this fraction suppressed nuclear translocation of the NF-B p65 subunit, which was associated with an inhibitory effect on I B phosphorylation and also modulated the activation of MAPKs (p38 and JNK) [72] . Chen et al. [73] have indicated that active compound IVSE has a potential inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated NO production and iNOS protein expression in macrophages and these activities might be suppression of two key signaling pathways, NF-B and MAPKs. Wang et al. [75] isolated the JEUD-38; 1-oxo-4aHeudesma-5(6),11(13)-dien-12,8 -olide is a new sesquiterpene lactone of the plant extract ( Figure 12 ). JEUD-38 compound also significantly inhibited NO production and proinflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated macrophages. In addition, JEUD-38 downregulates the NF-B transcription factor through the inhibition of I B phosphorylation and degradation as well as suppressing the MAPK activation. [78] . The most active component is guaianolide matricine (1), with significant anti-inflammatory activities present in chamomile flower heads. Matricine (1) inhibits ICAM-1 gene, NF-signaling molecules, and protein expression which was induced by TNF-and LPS in endothelial cells. Furthermore, these inhibitions were in dose-dependent manner without causing cytotoxicity on endothelial cells. Another degradation product of matricine (1) is chamazulene (2) and this product was inactive against NF-B promotor activity [79] (Figure 13 ). Lam. (M. oleifera) from monogeneric family Moringaceae is well-known as "the miracle tree" and now widely distributed in many tropical and subtropical areas. All parts of the plant exhibit various important medicinal and pharmacological properties for improving human and animal health. Several researchers reported that methanolic, hydromethanolic, and hydroethanolic extracts from different parts of M. oleifera such as leaves, roots, pods, seeds, fruits, and flowers have possessed anti-inflammatory activities. Anti-inflammatory effects of M. oleifera edible parts were assessed through LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. These findings indicate that M. oleifera effectively suppressed the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1 , and TNF-), and PGE2. It has also reduced the expression of inflammatory markers which include NF-B, iNOS, and COX-2 [48, [80] [81] [82] [83] . These findings have suggested that the edible part of M. oleifera may act as an effective natural anti-inflammatory remedy against inflammatory associated diseases. Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. (Nymphaeaceae family) has been broadly used for management of various inflammatory diseases. Previous investigations have proven that medicinal properties of Nuphar extracts have indicated numerous biomedical applications, including antileishmanial [84] , antibacterial [85] , and anticancer applications [86] . Nuphar lutea extract showed significant anti-inflammatory potential through the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the downregulation of the NF-B signaling pathway targets, causing the alteration of cytokine production and protection of mice in two models of acute septic shock [87] . The Oryeongsan (OR) showed anti-inflammatory potential by inhibiting various inflammatory mediators such as NO, TNF-, IL-6, and IL-1 . Apart from this effect, it significantly suppressed COX-2, iNOS, and NO synthesizing enzymes and also induced heme oxygenase-(HO-) 1 expression and inhibited NF-B signaling pathway activation and phosphorylation of MAPKs [88] . Persicaria chinensis L. Persicaria chinensis L. (Polygonaceae) is a medicinal herb mainly in tropical and subtropical eastern Asia and it has been used as a folk medicine in Malaysia and Nepal mainly for lung associated complication and cancer [89] . It contains various phenolic acid and flavonoids compounds such as caffeic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin which are responsible for anti-inflammatory potential. Methanolic extract of Persicaria chinensis effectively suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 in LPSinduced macrophages. In addition, nuclear translocation of NF-B (p65 and p50) was inhibited by extract, implying that P. chinensis extract targets Syk and Src kinases and their downstream transcription factor NF-B [ MMP9 expression due to reduced production of nitric oxide and all other proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, it has inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPKs through suppression of AP-1 signaling activation. These effects suggest that extract of PA possesses preventive and therapeutic potential for management of inflammatory associated diseases [91] . Edible red algae (Porphyra yezoensis) are commonly consumed in South East Asia and they contain few biologically functional components, dietary fibers, taurine, polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and porphyra-334 amino acids as well as essential minerals, vitamins, and proteins. Porphyran is a major bioactive compound from this plant and it has diverse pharmacological properties including anticancer, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic properties. Porphyran has significant anti-inflammatory properties in a dose-dependent manner through the prevention of NF-B activation [92] . Saxifraga stolonifera is traditional medicinal flowering plant and has higher concentration of saxifragin (quercetin-5-glucoside) ( Figure 14) . Saxifragin active components efficiently inhibited the LPSstimulated nuclear translocation of p65 and activation of caspase-1 in the murine macrophages. These findings recommend that the suppressive effects of saxifragin on NF-B-regulated signaling targets in macrophages are mainly responsible for its anti-inflammatory effect in sepsis induced animal model [93] . Besides, this evergreen dicotyledon is also known for its anticancer properties and quercetin isolated is shown to induce apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell [94] . Quercetin is also an active compound to attenuate proinflammatory cytokines and mediators in macrophages [94] . New sesquiterpenes ( -chamigrenic acid, -ylangenol, and -ylangenyl acetate) isolated from the fruit of S. chinensis have anti-inflammatory potential. -Chamigrenal has shown most significant anti-inflammatory properties through suppression of LPSinduced NO and PGE2 in macrophages. Inhibition of nitric oxide production of -chamigrenal was mediated by suppressing inducible NO synthase activity. -Chamigrenal also regulated the PGE2 synthesis pathway through upregulation of inducible microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 expression after stimulation with LPS. In addition, it has inhibited the expression of early growth response factor-1, a key transcription factor of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 expression, implying that S. chinensis regulated LPS-induced NF-B-dependent inflammatory pathways via repression of MAPKs activation [95] . 4.3.29 . Smilax glabra Roxb. Smilax glabra Roxb. (Liliaceae family) has been used as traditional medicine in both developing and developed countries. Two main fractions were eluted from the extract, namely, SGP-fr.1 and SGP-fr.2. These two fractions (SGP-1 and SGP-2) have significantly inhibited the production of various inflammatory mediators such as NO, TNF-, and IL-6 from LPS-stimulated macrophages in addition to the mRNA expression of iNOS, proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-, and IL-6. These inhibitions were due to the suppression of key signaling pathways, namely, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) [96] . Development of effective and economical nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with minimal or no gastrointestinal (GI) side effects is an area of importance in drug discovery pharmaceutical industry. The use of the most frequently recommended drugs of analgesics such as aspirin currently is restricted because of their possible side effects such as severe gastric disorders and other GI side effects. Anti-inflammatory drugs include "biologicals" like anticytokine therapies which block the activity of various kinases and show a significant decrease in host defence toward infections. Due to these side effects and health problems of existing anti-inflammatory therapies, natural anti-inflammatory supplements are becoming more popular and many scientific investigations have been concentrated on this area. In recent years, enormous deal of effort has focused on using available experimental techniques to verify natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs from natural product resources. This review article will provide scientific knowledge toward anti-inflammatory drug development for various chronic inflammatory associated diseases/disorders from natural products ( Figure 15 ). 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GP-I/2014/9443700). Interleukin TNF-: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha PGE2: Prostaglandin E2 NF-B: Nuclear factor kappa B COX-2: Cyclooxygenase-2 iNOS:Inducible nitric oxide synthase TLR:Toll-like receptor MyD:Myeloid differentiation primary response gene STAT:Signal transducer and activator of transcription AP:Activation protein I B:Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B I K:Inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B kinase TRAF:TNF receptor associated factor MAPKs:Mitogen-activated protein kinases MEK/MKK/p38: Mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK:Extracellular signal-regulated kinase JAK:Janus kinase JNK:c-Jun N-terminal kinase. All the authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this manuscript.