Bioactive Compounds from Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and African Medicinal Systems: Chemical Characterisation, Pharmacological Activities, and Implications for Modern Drug Discovery

Traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and African Traditional Medicine (ATM) represent rich reservoirs of therapeutic knowledge developed over thousands of years. These systems primarily rely on medicinal plants containing diverse bioactive compounds responsible for their pharmacological effects. With growing interest in natural products for safer and multi-target therapies, scientific validation of traditional medicines has become increasingly important. This review critically examines the major bioactive compounds reported in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and African traditional medicines, focusing on their chemical nature, pharmacological activities, and molecular mechanisms of action. Emphasis is placed on neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and metabolic regulatory activities, along with their relevance to modern drug discovery. Challenges related to standardization, safety, and clinical validation are discussed, and future research directions are proposed. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern pharmacology may accelerate the development of novel therapeutic agents.