From Ethnobotany to Pharmacology: A Comprehensive Review of Selected Asteraceae Species Highlighting Phytochemical Composition, Traditional Uses, and Diverse Pharmacological Activities

Medicinal plants are widely used in the Mediterranean region, where they have long been employed in traditional medicine as well as in the food and beverage industry. At the same time, people in developed countries are increasingly dissatisfied with modern healthcare due to the side effects and complications associated with chemical drugs, prompting a growing interest in more natural alternative treatments. The Asteraceae family is one of the largest flowering plant families, containing many species with medicinal properties. It comprises over 1600 genera and approximately 25,000 species worldwide. Silybum marianum, Picnomon acarna, Glebionis segetum, and Carduus pycnocephalus are invasive species in the Mediterranean region belonging to the Asteraceae family. Although they have been used traditionally to treat certain diseases, their biological and pharmacological potential has not yet been fully explored. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the phytochemical components, geographical and botanical characteristics, traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and potential applications of these species in green nanotechnology and the food industry.