Gliricidia sepium: Phytochemical Profile, Ethnobotanical Uses, and Emerging Pharmacological Potential in Inflammation and Pain-Related Conditions

Abstract

Gliricidia sepium (G. sepium) is a Fabaceae tree native to Mexico and Central America with ethnobotanical relevance in tropical regions. Traditionally, different parts have been used to treat skin disorders, wounds, fever, infections, inflammation, and pain-related conditions. This narrative review summarizes evidence on the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical profile, biological activities, antinociceptive potential, and safety of G. sepium, with an emphasis on inflammation and pain. The literature search used G. sepium as the search term combined with keywords related to ethnobotanical uses, traditional medicine, phytochemistry, secondary metabolites, pharmacological activity, toxicity, and safety. Boolean operators, truncation, and searching were applied without publication year restrictions. Articles published in English and Spanish were considered, while superficial or irrelevant mentions were excluded. The literature indicates that G. sepium contains diverse constituents, including volatile aromatic compounds, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acid derivatives, triterpenoids, and saponins. In vitro and preclinical in vivo studies suggest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, gastroprotective, and tissue-protective effects. However, evidence of antinociceptive activity remains lacking, and pain-related relevance is mainly inferred from mechanisms involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue repair. Thus, G. sepium represents a potential source of bioactive metabolites, although its therapeutic potential requires validation through standardized preparations, validated models, mechanistic studies, and toxicological assessment.