A comprehensive review of the phytochemical, and pharmacological potential of Alnus hirsuta (Spach) Rupr., (Siberian Alder): implications for anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

Alnus hirsuta (Siberian alder), a member of the family Betulaceae, is a medicinally significant species that has yet to be the subject of a comprehensive review. This article summarizes phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of A. hirsuta. Phytochemical studies have identified a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including diarylheptanoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, many of which exhibit strong bioactivities. Pharmacological investigations have revealed anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, hepatoprotective, lipid-regulating, and hair growth effects with diarylheptanoids frequently implicated as major bioactive constituents. Mechanistically, these compounds especially diarylheptanoids modulate inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK pathways, suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators such as COX-2, iNOS, and cytokines, while simultaneously enhancing antioxidant defenses. Thus, by integrating chemical and biological evidence, to our knowledge, this review presents the first comprehensive account of A. hirsuta, emphasizing the potential of this species as a valuable source of natural products for drug discovery.