Phytochemistry and therapeutic potential of the genus Asphodelus L.: an update

The genus Asphodelus L. (family: Asphodelaceae) comprises ca. 20 hardy herbaceous, perennial flowering plant species, and is native to Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Mediterranean region, and temperate Europe, and naturalized in Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and some parts of the USA. The Asphodelus species have long been used as traditional medicines for the treatment of acne, alopecia, burns, earache, eczema, local inflammation, psoriasis, and toothache. Since the publication of the last review in 2019, which essentially covered the published literature until the end of 2018, several articles have been published reporting the identification of various secondary metabolites including anthraquinones, flavonoids and phenolic acids and demonstrating the therapeutic potential of the genus Asphodelus. This review article critically appraises the literature on this genus published during 2019–2023 on therapeutic potential and phytochemistry. During this period, among the identified compounds from various Asphodelus species, including A. aestivus Brot., A. albus Mill., A. bento-rainhae P. Silva, A. fistulosus L., A. macrocarpus Salzm. Viv., A. ramosus L. and A. tenuifolius Cav., the phytochemicals of the classes of anthraquinones, flavonoids and phenolic acids were the most dominating ones. Numerous studies established the therapeutic potential of the Asphodelus species mainly against cancer, diabetes, microbial infections, and various ailments caused by oxidative stress. None or negligible toxicity could be observed in the toxicological studies, suggesting an acceptable level of safety of Asphodelus products for potential therapeutic applications.