Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae): A comprehensive scientific review of phytochemistry, pharmacology, and its medicinal potential

Abstract

Despite contemporary medicine's advancements, no specific treatment can cure some diseases, and they are managed only with supportive care. COVID-19, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, advanced lung, heart, kidney, liver illness, stroke, gas gangrene, HIV/AIDS, and other neurological disorders are among them. An incurable, life-limiting ailment is likely to result in a person of any age passing away within days, weeks, months, or occasionally more than a year. The current medications cannot treat some diseases; therefore, researchers are still evaluating a wide range of new remedies for treatments. Chromolaena odorata is one of the tropical regions' most valuable traditional medicinal plants to treat wound, burn, diarrhea, coughs, colds and toothache. It has many pharmacological activities due to its phytochemical constituents including activities such as anti-ulcer, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-fibrillogenic, anti-thrombocytopenic, antispasmodic, and antibiofilm etc. In this paper, a comprehensive literature survey of “Chromolaena odorata” was conducted in the three electronic scientific databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed and web of science from 2001 to February 2024. Many pharmacological activities of this plant have been reported, but mechanism of action is still limited. This review work offers a critical discussion highlighting the presence of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, and essential oils in various extracts of C. odorata. Recent reports have shown the effectiveness of isolated compounds, 5,7,4’-trimethoxy flavanone and 5-hydroxy-3,7,4’-trimethoxyflavone were evaluated for anti-tubercular activity. It can be further considered for clinical research or animal models as potent antitubercular agent. No FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved compounds have been purified from C. odorata as well as the clinical studies of this plants have not been reported. Animal models and clinical studies are of utmost importance, as well as formulation, which can be carried out as the subject of future research. Hence, this comprehensive scientific review aims to innovate a systematic and thorough examination for the health clearance of medicinal applications and research on innovation for healthcare products.