Phytochemicals and Biological Activities of Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Extracts: A Review

Arctium lappa L., also known as burdock, is an edible wild plant which has the ability to grow in distinct environments and is considered a weed in several parts of the world. This species has great value in the biological and medical fields with its major secondary components being phenolic compounds and terpenes, substances rich in desired biological activities as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor and anti-inflammatory. In addition, burdock leaves extracts have shown a modulatory effect on the complement system, which plays an important role in the development of inflammatory diseases, with an inhibitory effect on all complement pathways. Thus, natural products with those relevant activities are promising agents for healthcare applications. Therefore, the species A. lappa may represent an interesting asset for researching and developing new therapies for inflammatory afflictions.

Automated summary

Burdock, also known as Arctium lappa L., is a valuable plant in the biological and medical fields, containing phenolic compounds and terpenes with antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory properties. Burdock leaf extracts have shown the ability to modulate the complement system, which plays a crucial role in inflammatory diseases. Therefore, burdock may be a promising asset for researching and developing new therapies for inflammatory afflictions.