A Comprehensive Review on the Herbal Gels as Effective Topical Therapeutics for Inflammation

Abstract

Inflammation is a complex response to harmful stimuli and, if uncontrolled, can lead to acute and chronic diseases. While conventional anti-inflammatory treatments like NSAIDs and corticosteroids are effective, they often cause side effects such as skin irritation, systemic toxicity, and impaired wound healing. This has driven interest in safer, natural alternatives like herbal gels. These gels combine bioactive plant compounds with gel-based delivery systems, offering improved skin penetration, localized effects, and better patient compliance. This review explores the phytochemical composition, mechanisms of action, formulation, and pharmacological evaluation of herbal gels for inflammatory conditions. Herbal gels exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes, scavenging free radicals like nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, and stabilizing cell membranes. Medicinal plants such as Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Boswellia serrata, and Calendula officinalis show promising anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory and some clinical studies. Common pharmacological tests include protein denaturation inhibition and nitric oxide scavenging assays. Despite promising results, challenges remain in standardizing herbal components, ensuring formulation stability, and meeting regulatory requirements. Future progress depends on improved extraction methods, nanoformulations, and clinical trials. With continued research, herbal gels have strong potential as safe and effective alternatives or complements to conventional anti-inflammatory therapies.