Molecular modulators of celastrol as the keystones for its diverse pharmacological activities

[Display omitted] •Celastrol exhibits curative properties in the treatment of several diseases.•Celastrol modulates through a variety of molecular targets in the system.•Clinical trials have demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness of celastrol.•The therapeutic properties of celastrol circumvent its toxicological limitations.•Further studies are needed to establish safety, efficacy and dosage of celastrol. In the recent years, much attention has been focused on identifying bioactive compounds from medicinal plants that could be employed in therapeutics, which is attributed to their potent pharmacological actions and better toxicological profile. One such example that has come into the light with considerable interest is the pentacyclic triterpenoid, celastrol, which has been found to provide substantial therapeutic properties in a variety of diseases. In an effort to further accelerate its potential to be utilized in clinical practice in the future; along with advancing technologies in the field of drug discovery and development, different researchers have been investigating on the various mechanisms and immunological targets of celastrol that underlie its broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this review, we have collated the various research findings related to the molecular modulators responsible for different pharmacological activities shown by celastrol. Our review will be of interest to the herbal, biological, molecular scientist and by providing a quick snapshot about celastrol giving a new direction in the area of herbal drug discovery and development.