Xiangjun Dong

College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
Author    Correspondence author
Medicinal Plant Research, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0002
Received: 01 Jan., 2024    Accepted: 03 Feb., 2025    Published: 11 Feb., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Dong X.J., 2024, Pharmacological effects of aromatic medicinal plants: comprehensive analysis of active ingredients and mechanisms of action, Medicinal Plant Research, 14(1): 11-30 (doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0002)

This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the pharmacological effects of aromatic medicinal plants, synthesize current knowledge on their therapeutic potential, and identify directions for future research. The study identifies essential oils, alkaloids, and flavonoids as key active ingredients in aromatic medicinal plants, responsible for a range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. It was found that extracts from these plants exhibit strong antiproliferative effects against various types of cancer and have the ability to modulate critical biological pathways such as NF-κB and MAPK. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for more detailed pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic research on these plants and underscores their potential as complementary or alternative treatments in modern medicine. Due to their diverse and potent active ingredients, aromatic medicinal plants hold significant potential for medical and therapeutic applications. Ongoing research and collaboration among scientists, healthcare providers, and policymakers are essential to fully harness the benefits of these natural resources. Combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific research can unlock new therapeutic potentials and contribute to more holistic and sustainable medical practices.

Aromatic medicinal plants; Pharmacological effects; Active ingredients; Anti-inflammatory; Antimicrobial; Therapeutic potential