ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIOXIDANT MECHANISMS OF HERBAL REMEDIES IN ASTHMA

Deeksha Jolly*, Aarti

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disorder characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchial inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and reversible airflow obstruction. The pathophysiology of asthma involves complex interactions between inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, mast cells, and T-helper-2 lymphocytes, along with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress further aggravates airway inflammation, epithelial damage, and airway remodeling, leading to disease progression and worsening clinical outcomes. Although conventional therapies such as inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and leukotriene modifiers remain the mainstay of asthma management, long-term use of these medications may be associated with adverse effects, reduced patient compliance, and variable therapeutic responses. Herbal remedies have emerged as promising complementary and alternative therapeutic options for asthma due to their multi-targeted pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and bronchodilatory effects. Various medicinal plants and phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and glycosides have demonstrated potential in reducing airway inflammation and oxidative stress. These bioactive compounds exert their therapeutic effects through inhibition of inflammatory signaling pathways, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduction of eosinophil infiltration, inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, and modulation of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) pathways. Additionally, herbal antioxidants enhance endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms by increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, thereby reducing oxidative damage in airway tissues. Several herbal remedies, including Curcuma longa (turmeric), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Nigella sativa (black seed), Adhatoda vasica, and Camellia sinensis (green tea), have shown promising anti-asthmatic effects in experimental and clinical studies. These herbs help in reducing airway inflammation, improving lung function, decreasing mucus secretion, and modulating immune responses. Furthermore, herbal medicines offer advantages such as lower incidence of side effects, cost-effectiveness, and improved patient acceptability. This review highlights the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms of herbal remedies in asthma and discusses their therapeutic potential in disease management. However, further well-designed clinical trials and standardization of herbal formulations are required to establish their safety, efficacy, and clinical applicability in asthma treatment.