Indigenous medicine applications, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Asteriscus graveolens: A...

Asteriscus graveolens (A. graveolens) belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is native to North Africa and the Asian deserts, with the majority of its distribution in Southwest Algeria and Southeast Morocco. It has historically been utilized in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, it is frequently used to manage inflammation, diabetes, pain, fever, hypertension, and digestive problems. However, there is a lack of comprehensive resource material on the traditional uses, nutritional benefits, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological assessments of this plant. The study aims to analyze the traditional uses, nutritional benefits, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of A. graveolens, as well as its toxicological evaluations. Moreover, the research also attempted to explore and compile all existing knowledge and data on the plant's nutritional benefits and medicinal applications. It has been conducted utilizing a variety of scientific databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Plantlist.org validated the right plant names. The bibliographic data that was gathered was used to interpret, analyze, and document the search's findings. In addition, this plant has historically been utilized as a purgative to treat discomfort, diarrhea, diabetes, hypertension, inflammatory processes, fever, and stomach and bowel diseases. It is commonly employed in folk remedies because of its rich phytochemical content. All of its sections contain a variety of substances, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids, resulting in an ideal candidate for current therapeutic applications. Interestingly, the plant extracts contain various compounds, especially myricetin, luteolin, and its glycosides (orientin, isoorientin, and cynaroside), rutin (quercetin diglycoside), hyperoside (quercetin 3-O-galactoside), apigenin (vitexin and isovitexin), α-thujone, carvacrol, p-cineole, and camphor. The main constituents of its essential oil are discovered to be kessane, myrtenyl acetate, and cis-chrysanthenyl acetate. Additionally, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, particularly oxygenated sesquiterpenes (6-oxocyclonerolidol and 6-hydroxycyclonerolidol), are the main constituents of the essential oils of the aerial parts of A. graveolens. Furthermore, the study sought to review and document all currently available information and evidence on the traditional uses, therapeutic applications, and phytochemical compounds of this species. It has a vast number of therapeutic uses, including antibacterial, anticancer, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, essential oils extracted from A. graveolens exhibit significant biological effects, such as antileishmanial, hemolytic, anticancer, and anticorrosive activities. Furthermore, toxicological examinations have demonstrated that plant extracts can be safely consumed in small dosages. In order to determine the necessity for further research and to examine its therapeutic uses through clinical trials, the present evaluation concentrates on its distribution, composition of the product, and main applications of A. graveolens. Moreover, their therapeutic potential should be clarified by conducting additional research on the molecular mechanism of action underlying the observed results. However, further investigation is required to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of this plant.