Utilization of Elephantopus Scaber as Traditional Medicine and Its Bioactivity

Elephantopus scaber had been traditionally used by various ethnic groups in Indonesia and other countries for treating wounds, nephritis, edema, chest pain, fever, scabies, sores, coughs, as a tonic, and for bronchitis and asthma. In China, its leaves were developed into a "tea" for curing various diseases. The plant exhibited multiple bioactivities, including anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anticancer, hepatoprotective, hair growth stimulation, anti-diabetes mellitus, anti-wound, antioxidant, and kidney disorder treatment. Deoxyelephantopin, a sesquiterpene lactone from E. scaber, showed potential in anticancer development, warranting further investigation, especially given the plant's abundance in Indonesia.