The molecular mechanisms underlying anti‐inflammatory effects of galangin in different diseases

Abstract

AbstractWhen used as an alternative source of drugs to treat inflammation‐associated diseases, phytochemicals with anti‐inflammatory properties provide beneficial impacts. Galangin is one of the most naturally occurring flavonoids. Galangin has many biological activities, such as anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, anti‐obesity, antidiabetic, and anti‐genotoxic activities. We observed that galangin was well tolerated and positively impacted disease underlying inflammation for the renal, hepatic, central nervous system, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal system, skin, and respiratory disorders, as well as ulcerative colitis, acute pancreatitis, retinopathy, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Galangin anti‐inflammatory effects are mediated mainly by suppressing p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases, nuclear factor‐kappa B, and nod‐like receptor protein 3 signals. These effects are confirmed and supported by molecular docking. Clinical translational research is required to accelerate the bench‐to‐bedside transfer and determine whether galangin can be utilised as a safe, natural source of pharmaceutical anti‐inflammatory medication for humans.