Abstract
Pain, disability, and poor quality of life are often caused by inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, injuries to the musculoskeletal system, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Natural products are being considered increasingly as adjunctive therapeutic agents due to their range of bioactive compounds and acceptable safety profiles. Sophora mollis is an alkaloid-rich, flavonoid-rich, phenolic rich and saponin-rich medicinal herb with promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects in laboratory-based studies. These bioactive properties work through regulating key pathways involved in inflammation, inhibiting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing oxidative stress and altering cellular signaling systems involved in tissue inflammation and repair. With respect to clinical pharmacy, these pharmacologic activities suggest the possibility of developing Sophora mollis-based formulations as adjunctive therapies to traditional anti-inflammatory medications which might enhance therapeutic outcomes while decreasing an individual's likelihood of experiencing adverse drug reactions. Considering physiotherapy, the use of phytotherapeutic agents as part of a rehabilitation program may provide additional ways of managing pain related to inflammatory musculoskeletal injuries, enhancing the rate of tissue repair, and facilitating functional recovery in individuals with inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. This literature reviews the phytochemical composition, pharmacologic mechanisms and clinical applications of Sophora mollis as an evidence-based therapeutic option for use in both clinical pharmacy and physiotherapy practice