PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF ACMELLA ULIGINOSA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PHYTOCHEMISTRY, TRADITIONAL USES, AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES

Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. (family Asteraceae): more commonly called marsh paracress or toothache plant, is a medicinal herb which is found in wet and marshy areas throughout India and in other tropical regions. It has for a long time been used in traditional medicine to treat toothache, oral ulcers, inflammation, microbial infections, pain, and metabolic disorders. The current level of scientific interest in A. uliginosa is due to its rich phytochemical composition and a wide range of pharmacological effects. The plant includes a number of bioactive components such as spilanthol, alkamides, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, coumarins, lignans, naphthoquinones, and essential oil components including limonene and caryophyllene oxide. Experimental research has shown that different extracts have considerable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic properties. These effects are mainly the result of the synergistic action of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and alkamides, which influence oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, microbial growth, and glucose metabolism. Although there has been some progress in assessing its pharmacological potential, the evidence regarding hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, wound-healing, and cardiovascular activities is still very limited or only indirect. This review provides a critical summary of what is currently known about the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, molecular mechanisms, and toxicological aspects of A. uliginosa, points out the existing research gaps, and proposes future lines of work aimed at developing standardised herbal preparations and bioactive compounds from this promising medicinal plant.