Medicinal plants used in pain management: A systematic review

The aim of this study is to provide a systematic inventory of medicinal plants with analgesic and antiinflammatory properties, highlighting bioactive compounds and their pharmacological relevance.The literature was reviewed from biomedical databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) between 2000 and 2025 using keywords "medicinal plants," "analgesic," "pain," "bioactive compounds," and "phytotherapy."Studies included in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials with phytochemical characterization.Twenty-two plant species were identified with validated analgesic and antiinflammatory activities.Active compounds include flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins.Several extracts demonstrated significant inhibition of pain models (acetic acid writhing, hot plate, carrageenan-induced oedema).Medicinal plants represent a promising reservoir of analgesic molecules.Future research should emphasize clinical validation, safety assessment, and integration into modern pharmacotherapy.