Phytochemical and pharmacological advancement on Tridax procumbens L.: A traditional medicinal plant with multiple health benefits: A review

Tridax procumbens L. is a persistent herb typically found as an agronomic weed that grows on wasteland or invades bare soil. Indigenous medicine has employed several extracts of T. procumbens to treat an array of illnesses in both humans and animals. The primary objective of this study is to comprehensively review the phytochemical constituents and medicinal potential of T. procumbens, highlighting its traditional and pharmacological uses with updated literature. The study aims to consolidate scientific literature on T. procumbens, its biological activities and therapeutic applications to provide a valuable ethnomedicinal reference. Despite the traditional and ethnomedicinal significance of T. procumbens, several critical research gaps remain, including a lack of in-depth phytochemical characterization. Bridging these gaps is essential for advancing T. procumbens from traditional use to evidence-based therapeutic applications. The literature review confirms the presence of several crucial phytochemicals in T. procumbens such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, proteins, anthocyanins and amino acids. These compounds are associated with various biological activities including wound healing, antioxidant and antibacterial effects, anti-inflammatory properties, antifungal, antiparasitic, insecticidal and immunomodulatory therapeutic effects. Tridax procumbens demonstrates significant potential as a medicinal plant with a broad range of biological activities attributed to its diverse phytochemical profile. However, further in-depth pharmacological studies, clinical investigations and toxicological assessments are essential to validate its ethnomedicinal claims and develop it into a reliable therapeutic agent. This review underscores the need for advanced research to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern evidence-based medicine.