TARGETING INFLAMMATORY AND METABOLIC DISORDERS WITH NATURAL PRODUCTS: PHARMACOLOGICAL ADVANCES AND MECHANISTIC INSIGHTS

Inflammatory and metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and obesity, represent leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. Current pharmacotherapies for these conditions are associated with significant limitations, including adverse effects, treatment resistance, and high costs. Natural products have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for these disorders, offering multi-targeted mechanisms, favorable safety profiles, and potential for disease modification. This review comprehensively examines recent pharmacological advances in natural products targeting inflammatory and metabolic disorders, focusing on their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. We critically evaluate natural products exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that modulate key pathways including NF-κB, Nrf2, AMPK, and the NLRP3 inflammasome. Evidence for the efficacy of natural products in managing diabetes through insulin sensitization, glucose uptake enhancement, and alpha-glucosidase inhibition is assessed. Furthermore, we review natural products targeting cardiovascular disease through lipid modulation, blood pressure regulation, and vascular protection. The roles of curcumin, resveratrol, berberine, quercetin, and various polyphenols in metabolic regulation are examined in detail. Despite promising preclinical data, clinical translation has been challenged by bioavailability and standardization issues. This review identifies research gaps, evaluates emerging trends, and discusses strategies for optimizing the therapeutic potential of natural products for inflammatory and metabolic disorders.