A REVIEW: RECENT ADVANCES IN THE PHARMACOLOGY OF NYCTANTHES ARBOR-TRISTIS WITH EMPHASIS ON INFLAMMAION PATHWAYS

Ayurveda has long utilized Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. (Family: Oleaceae), often known as Parijat, to treat severe musculoskeletal problems, arthritis, fever, and chronic inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory efficacy has been scientifically supported in recent years by several phytochemical and pharmacological studies. The plant has a wide range of bioactive components, such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, and iridoid glycosides (arborsides, arbortristosides), many of which show notable regulation of molecular inflammatory pathways. According to recent research, N. arbor-tristis extracts and isolated compounds suppress important inflammatory mediators like nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Additionally, a number of in-vitro and in-vivo models provide substantial evidence of immunomodulatory activity, downregulation of oxidative stress markers, and repression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. The identification of novel iridoid glycosides, molecular docking studies verifying target interactions, and the initial development of nano formulations to enhance bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy are examples of recent developments (2019–2025). With a focus on inflammation-related pathways and future prospects for its development as a multi-target anti-inflammatory drug, this study critically assesses the available pharmacological evidence of N. arbor-tristis.