EMILIA SONCHIFOLIA: A REVIEW ON ITS PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Emilia sonchifolia, commonly known as Cupid’s Shaving Brush, is widely utilized in traditional medicine across Southeast Asia for the management of skin infections and wound care. Despite its frequent use in rural Philippine primary care as a topical poultice, there remains a need for a structured descriptive analysis of its bioactive constituents and a synthesis of its clinical healing potential. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the secondary metabolites present in a methanolic whole-plant extract of Emilia sonchifolia. The study further aimed to describe the plant’s pharmacological mechanisms in accelerating tissue repair and modulating inflammatory responses. A descriptive-analytical research design was implemented. The phytochemical profile was established using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to identify key chemical markers. A systematic descriptive review of existing biological assays was conducted to document the plant's efficacy in increasing collagen deposition and inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide and prostaglandins. Preliminary screening confirmed a diverse chemical matrix rich in flavonoids (quercitrin and rutin), phenolic acids, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The descriptive analysis of healing markers indicates that E. sonchifolia facilitates faster wound contraction and enhances re-epithelialization. Furthermore, its flavonoid content demonstrates a significant capacity to scavenge free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress at the site of injury. The findings suggest that Emilia sonchifolia possesses a robust phytochemical foundation that supports its traditional use as a wound-healing agent. While the presence of certain alkaloids requires careful topical standardization, its anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerative properties make it a viable candidate for further pharmacological development in the context of primary dermatological care.