Anti Inflammatory Effect of Vitex Trifolia L and its Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Inflammation is a protective response by the host to a challenge of foreign bodies or injury. Although the process is the protective mechanism, it must be fine-tuned and regulated precisely. Otherwise, when dysregulated, it becomes harmful and destructive leading to injury of tissues, chronic inflammation and neoplastic transformation thereby playing a vital role in various diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and asthma which show high prevalence globally. Historically, anti-inflammatory drugs had their origin in serendipity from certain plants being employed for the relief of fever, pain and inflammation. Current anti-inflammatory drugs (steroidal, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitors) though provide remarkable benefit; out turn of their long term medication includes unfavorable side effects such as Gastro intestinal ulcers, bleeding, fluid retention, acute renal failure, hyperkalemia, and increased risk of cardiovascular failure. In this context, there is an immense unmet medical need for the development of more efficient and less toxic drugs that can promote the resolution of inflammation and restore the homeostasis newline