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Unlocking the Potential of Phytochemicals in Combating Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Insights from Studies with Selected Plants Commonly Utilized in India

Shantanabha Das
Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Sarisha, West Bengal, India.
OrchideID Icon https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8107-4250

Atri Das
Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Sarisha, West Bengal, India.
OrchideID Icon https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2447-2643

Puja Mishra
Department of Zoology, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Sarisha, West Bengal, India.
OrchideID Icon https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1180-3269

Published online: 15th December, 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2023.e02.003

Keywords: inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis (UC), T-cells, cytokines.

Abstract:

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in India, with a total of 2.7 lakh cases in 2019. IBD includes two categories of chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract: ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). Both conditions cause severe morbidity to individuals and increase the risk of GI tract cancers. Long-term use of conventional synthetic drugs like corticosteroids has significant adverse effects. Patients increasingly choose to adopt plant-derived products as an alternative or complementary medicine (CAM). In India, since ancient times, plant products have been used to treat and prevent numerous digestive tract ailments. Here, we have mentioned recent research highlights of eight commonly utilized plants (Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Boswellia serrata, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Garcinia cambogia, Aloe vera, and Punica granatum) and their bioactive compounds used to treat IBD in both model systems and clinical trials. Many of the bioactive compounds mentioned in this article can target different drivers behind IBD pathology. Phytochemicals can modulate immune cell subsets, enhance gut epithelium regeneration, and improve gut microbiome homeostasis to inhibit aberrant immune response and promote gut barrier function leading to remission of IBD. Evidence from clinical trials indicates that these plant-derived products are safe to use, but efficacy varies depending on the nature of the preparation of the phytochemicals. New developments in targeted delivery and better absorption promise exciting advances for phytochemicals in IBD treatment.

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The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany
and Traditional Medicine
Vol. 2

How to Cite
Shantanabha Das, Atri Das and Puja Mishra (2023). Unlocking the Potential of Phytochemicals in Combating Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Insights from Studies with Selected Plants Commonly Utilized in India. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Mrs. Bhanumati Sarkar, Dr. (Professor) Surjyo Jyoti Biswas, Dr. Alok Chandra Samal & Dr. Akhil Pandey  (eds.), The Basic Handbook of Indian Ethnobotany and Traditional Medicin [Volume: 2], pp. 32-45. ISBN: 978-81-962683-5-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/bhietm.2023.e02.003

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