A Review of the Effects of Herbal Medicines on the Conductance of Ion Channels

Experimental evidence indicates that several phytochemicals can modulate ion channels currents, probably improving disorders linked to ion channels in cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems. This review critically evaluates the experimental evidence regarding the effects of bioactive phytochemicals from medicinal plants on ion channels properties. This review primarily focused on the beneficial effects of plant-derived bioactive agents on ion channels implicated in cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal disorders, specifically cardiac arrhythmias, epilepsy, anxiety, pain, and visceral smooth muscle dysfunction. Relevant literatures up to 2024 were gathered through comprehensive searches across multiple electronic databases. The results indicate that near 50 medicinal plants and their derivatives can modulate the conductivity of various Ca2+, K+, Na+, and Cl- ion channels, alter the electrical properties of excitable cells, and affect the functional features of tissues and organ systems. These observations provide a foundational framework for researchers, health professionals and drug developers seeking to understand how botanical compounds impacts the functionality of ion channels