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Narrative review identifies pharmacological potentials and innovations in formulations for bioactive botanicals.
Background: Natural products remain a cornerstone of pharmaceutical development, with Pandanus odoratissimus and Curcuma longa representing significant sources of bioactive compounds for inflammatory, urological, hepatoprotective, and oncological applications. Objective: This narrative review synthesizes pharmacological evidence and formulation advancements for P. odoratissimus peduncle and C. longa rhizome extracts from 2010 to 2025, identifying therapeutic potentials and pharmaceutical development strategies. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted focusing on pharmacological studies and formulation research published between 2010 and 2025. Studies were selected based on relevance to therapeutic applications, methodological rigor, and formulation innovation. Data were synthesized narratively to identify trends, mechanisms, and clinical translation potential. Results: P. odoratissimus peduncle demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory (68% edema inhibition), anti-enuretic (35% bladder capacity increase), and hepatoprotective (59% ALT reduction) activities with favorable safety profiles (up to 5 g/kg). Multiple formulations including oral solutions, orodispersible tablets, and capsules have been developed with 95-98% potency retention. Curcuma longa exhibits multitargeting capabilities through NF-κB inhibition, epigenetic modulation, and enhanced bioavailability via nanoparticle systems (40-185-fold increase). Advanced delivery systems including PLGA nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions address bioavailability limitations while improving therapeutic indices in cancer, arthritis, and metabolic disorders. Conclusion: Both botanicals demonstrate substantial pharmaceutical potential supported by mechanistic studies and formulation innovations. Standardized extracts and optimized delivery systems represent viable pathways for clinical translation, particularly in pediatric urology, hepatoprotection, and integrative oncology. Future research should prioritize clinical validation and regulatory-compliant manufacturing.
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Amina El-Shaibany1,3*, Maged Alwan Noman2,3, Mahmoud Mahyoob Alburyhi2, Abdalwali Ahmed Saif2, Abdulbary Fikri Abdullah3, Suhail Majed Wais3, Mahmoud Mohammed Nasser3, Mohammed Abdo Yahook3, Alaa Abdullah Muharram3 and Mohammed Abdulwahab Rukn3 (2026) studied this question.
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