A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SPHAERANTHUS INDICUS L.

Sphaeranthus indicus L. (Asteraceae) is a widely used medicinal plant in traditional and modern medicine, valued for its diverse therapeutic applications. Traditionally, it has been employed to manage respiratory, digestive, neurological, skin and systemic disorders, as well as for blood purication, aphrodisiac and urinary infections. Phytochemical investigations have revealed a rich prole of bioactive compounds, including eudesmanolides, sesquiterpenoids, avonoids, sterols, alkaloids, amino acids, glycosides, diterpenoids, tannins, proteins, carbohydrates and essential oils, with avonoids and phenolics being particularly abundant. Pharmacological studies demonstrate that extracts of S. indicus L. exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inammatory, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, wound healing and anti-diabetic activities. The observed bioactivities are supported by its complex phytochemical composition, validating its traditional uses and highlighting its potential for drug discovery and therapeutic development.