Study Reveals How Combinations of Plant Compounds Can Significantly Boost Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:36:00 +0200

A recent study led by Professor Gen-ichiro Arimura at Tokyo University of Science has uncovered a powerful synergy between common plant-derived compounds such as menthol, cineole, and capsaicin that can drastically reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation, often a hidden factor behind diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be regulated by certain plant compounds known as phytochemicals. While individual compounds like capsaicin showed moderate anti-inflammatory effects, combinations of these compounds led to much more dramatic results. In the study, combining menthol with capsaicin or cineole increased the anti-inflammatory effects by several hundred times. This synergy works through different intracellular pathways, providing molecular evidence for the long-known benefits of mixing these compounds. The research suggests that plant-rich diets may be effective in managing chronic inflammation not through a single 'super compound' but through the interaction of various c