Abstract
Objective: To describe the importance of medicinal plants in the social and pharmacological context, demonstrating the anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential and the mechanism of action of drugs present in the chemical composition of four plants present in the Brazilian flora. Methods: A bibliographic survey on the topic was carried out, using the descriptors: Activity, Anti-inflammatory, Plants, Flora, Brazilian. In Scielo, Google Scholar and PUBMED databases. For the inclusion of works, the following criteria were used: Articles from research relevant to the topic (regardless of date) and relevant publications from the year 2007. Results: The inflammatory process is a target for the treatment of various diseases and development new treatments are needed. We discuss here the anti-inflammatory potential and the mechanism of action of the following plants: Uncaria tomentosa, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi and Mentha piperita demonstrated through in vitro studies and murine models of diseases. The species showed anti-inflammatory action by reducing the production of inflammatory mediators and inhibiting the activity of important pro-inflammatory enzymes, such as phospholipase A2 and cycloxygenase. Final considerations: The four plant species covered in this article had significant anti-inflammatory effects, therefore, they can be suggested as a source of potential new drugs.