Europe PMC · 2026-01-30
A systematic review of climbing groundsel (Senecio scandens) synthesizes over 50 years of research, cataloging 200+ active compounds behind its medicinal uses — while flagging serious liver and kidney toxicity risks from its pyrrolizidine alkaloids that require careful safety management.
Over 200 chemical constituents identified from S. scandens, dominated by flavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids spanning literature from 1972 to 2025.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the plant cause hepatorenal (liver and kidney) toxicity, prompting gradual establishment of safety guidelines and regulated clinical dosage forms.
Confirmed biological activities include anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects, with applications spanning medicine, agriculture, animal husbandry, and cosmetics.