Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of Clinacanthus nutans

Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans), an ethnomedicinal plant from the Acanthaceae family, is widely used in Southeast Asia to address fever, skin rashes, and viral infections. It boasts diverse properties like anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. This review offers a synthesis of C. nutans studies, emphasising its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential.

Phytochemical analyses have unveiled secondary metabolites such as triterpenoids, phytosterols, and c-glycosyl flavones within C. nutans extracts, contributing to its therapeutic attributes. Of note, C. nutans holds promise as an alternate immunotherapeutic agent, as evidenced by its ability to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide, mitigates Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation, while promoting the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-2 and IL-4) and T helper 1 (Th1)-biased responses. However, studies were mainly conducted using C. nutans whole extract with different solvents of extraction.

The review underscores C. nutans' anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory potential and delves into the targeted mechanisms driven by its phytoconstituents. C. nutans holds promise as an herbal immunotherapeutic agent and warrants further research for broader pharmaceutical applications.