# Bioactive Components of Parthenocissus quinquefolia with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Systematic Review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in Virginia creeper, highlighting its potential for natural therapies.

## Contribution

The study systematically characterizes the bioactive components of Parthenocissus quinquefolia with a focus on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

## Key findings

- Phenolic compounds like flavonoids and stilbenes in P. quinquefolia show antioxidant activity via ROS scavenging and Nrf2/ARE activation.
- The plant's metabolites exhibit anti-inflammatory effects by downregulating NF-κB and inhibiting COX-2/iNOS expression.
- Consistent molecular responses suggest P. quinquefolia's potential for phytotherapeutic development targeting oxidative stress and inflammation.

## Abstract

Background: Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper), widely distributed and used in Chile, lacks a systematic characterization of its bioactive components. This study synthesizes the evidence on the phytochemical composition and biological activities of P. quinquefolia, with emphasis on metabolites involved in redox regulation and inflammation. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Searches were performed across four electronic databases, including original studies reporting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Results: Of 665 records identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Phytochemical analyses revealed phenolic compounds, particularly flavonoids (e.g., catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, quercetin, rutin, isoquercitrin, myricetin, luteolin, naringin) and stilbenes (e.g., ε-viniferin, miyabenol C). These metabolites exhibit antioxidant activity through ROS scavenging, metal chelation, and Nrf2/ARE activation. Anti-inflammatory effects were attributed to the downregulation of NF-κB, AP-1, and MAPK signaling, inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and suppression of COX-2/iNOS expression. Conclusions: P. quinquefolia is a rich source of phenolic metabolites with robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The consistency of molecular responses across studies highlights its potential as a promising candidate for phytotherapeutic development targeting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways.