Patented antiinflammatory plant drug development from traditional medicine.

Patents secured on antiinflammatory plant drugs derived from 38 plants are reviewed. An attempt has been made to compare the modern and traditional use of plant drugs and to establish the relevance of folk claims in developing modern drugs. The role of plant botanicals such as polysaccharides, terpenes, curcuminoids, alkaloids, etc. in alleviating inflammatory diseases including arthritis, rheumatism, acne skin allergy and ulcers is highlighted. Chemicals that alleviate swelling are derived from plants including grape, boswellia, turmeric, devil's claw and some essential oils such as clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, mint, myrrh, millefolia and pine have been patented and used as mixed formulations. Plants containing polysaccharides are the most potent in curing inflammatory diseases. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.