Objective:
Helenalin is a natural anti-inflammatory agent that is proving its efficacy to treat
various medical conditions. Though many plants are proving their effectiveness but their mechanisms
are still not well understood. The objective of the review is to summarize various mechanisms of helenalin
to treat inflammatory disorders and cancers, adverse effects, and avenues of further research.
Methods:
Structured research was carried out including Pub med, Science direct Medline, Research
Gate and Google Scholar to find all articles published on helenalin. Various keywords used were “helenalin”,
“Arnica”, “cancer”, “anti-inflammatory”, “cardiovascular”, “IBD”, “pharmacokinetics” etc. The
aim of the review was to find out the problem prevailing in the data published to date which will help
the researchers to investigate the molecule clinically.
Results:
Seventy articles are included in the review. Helenalin is found to cure chronic conditions like
rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers and malignancies like stomach, colon, breast, larynx, lung and skin cancers
via multiple mechanisms. These diseases do not proceed via a unilateral pathway. So, it can be a useful
molecule to treat numerous diseases.
Conclusion:
This review article will help us to systemically analyze the wealth of information concerning
the medicinal properties of helenalin and to recognize the gaps which have vetoed its pervasive application
in the medical community.
Biochemical studies on the mechanism of action of a new anti-inflammatory agent, Naproxen (1). Effects of Naproxen on the changes in connective tissue components due to inflammation.
