Future perspective of Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr. (Asteraceae): Review on its phytochemistry and biological potential

Cicerbita alpina (L.) Wallr. (Asteraceae), alpine sow-thistle, is a perennial alpine herb distributed throughout European mountain regions. Traditionally used as an edible wild or cultivated vegetable, the species has attracted scientific attention due to its recently established promising biological and pharmacological potential. The systematic survey on the phytochemistry and bioactivity of the species was completed via PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus (1990–2025). C. alpina remains underestimated compared to related taxa within the Cichorieae tribe. Comprehensive phytochemical studies reveal the presence of guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactones, acylquinic and acyltartaric acids, and flavonoids. The profiling is related to its antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and antidiabetic activities, highlighting its pharmacological significance. Moreover, the species exhibits antiparasitic and anti-methanogenic effects. This review summarizes current data on C. alpina secondary metabolites and bioactivity, emphasizing it as a potential α-glucosidase inhibitor that alleviates oxidative stress markers and carbohydrate metabolism parameters. It could also be applied in nutraceutical and veterinary practice.