Gen info
• Pseudoelephantopus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It was described as a genus in 1792.
• Pseudoelephantopus spicatus is a perennial herb spreading by underground rhizomes. Flowers are white to pinkish or purplish.

Botany
• Dilang-aso is an erect, much branched, hairy or nearly smooth, rather stiff herb, 20 to 80 centimeters in height. Leaves are oblong-obovate and 9 to 14 centimeters long, with a blunt tip and narrowed base; those of the upper part of the stem are smaller. Flowering heads are about 1.5 centimeters long, without stalks, occurring in clusters of 2 to 5, borne in the axils of the very much-reduced leaves, and arranged along the few, elongated, spike-like branches of the inflorescence. Involucral bracts are green, the outer being much smaller than the inner ones. Achenes are linear-oblong, about 6 millimeters in length, ribbed and hairy, and glandular between the ribs. Pappus hairs are four, dilated, laciniate-cleft at the base, and unequal, two being straight and two being longer and abruptly recurved and again curved upward. Corolla is white and about 7 millimeters long.

• An erect herb up to 120 cm tall, usually branched and with a strong taproot, stems slightly hairy to glabrous. Leaves in a radical rosette and cauline, oblong-obovate to oblong-lanceolate, lower ones 5-25 cm × 1-7 cm, upper ones smaller. Heads clustered in the axil of small cauline leaves, combined into a long, lax terminal spike, involucral bracts 2-seriate, the outer ones shorter than inner ones. Flowers with corolla about 7 mm long, white. Fruit 6-7 mm long with pappus bristles unequal, the 2 largest sigmoid near the apex. (PROSEA)

Distribution
- Introduced from Mexico.
- Common in waste places in settled areas generally, from the Batan Islands and northern Luzon to Mindanao, in most islands and provinces.
- Native to Belize, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Windward Is. (6)
- Also occurs in the Marianne Islands, Taiwan, southern China, Taiwan, and Java.

Constituents
- Column chromatography yielded fine white crystals which appeared to be glaucolide-B, a sesquiterpene lactone previously isolated from the species of the genus Vernonia.
- Study yielded five new sesquiterpene lactones, spicatolides D-H. (See study below)
- Study of aerial parts yielded five new sesquiterpene lactones, spicatolides D−H (1−5), along with four known compounds, pitocarphin D (6), 8α-acetoxy-10α-hydroxy-13-O-methylhirsutinolide (7), spicatolide A (8), and 13-O-methylverno-jalcanolide 8-O-acetate (9). (see study below) (13) 
- Qualitative screening of methanolic extract of plant identified tannins, alkaloids, flavoids, and steroids. The EtAcSP fraction exhibited highest phenolic content (102.56 mg GAE/g of extract. Hexane extract analysis highlighted the herb's fatty acid composition, notably high in bound fatty acids (cis-9-oleic acid 34.14%) and free fatty acids (palmitoleic acid 12.25%), indicating higher unsaturated fatty acid proportions in bound form than in free form. (see study below) (16)

Properties
- Vulnerary, antileishmanial, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antifungal, antidotal.
- Studies suggest hepatoprotective, antileishmanial, anticancer, antifungal, phytoremediative, antioxidant, antimicrobial, thrombolytic, analgesic, neuroprotective, anxiolytic, antidepressant properties.

Parts used
Whole plant, leaves.

Uses
Edibility
- No reports found on edibility.
Folkloric
- In central Luzon, leaves used as topical for eczema. Also used as vulnerary.
- The Agusan Manobo, of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur use the plant for treatment of cuts and wounds: leaf sap dropped on affected parts.
- Leaves used as vulnerary.
- In India, bark used as antidote for snake bites.
- In Jamaica, used for fever, eye problems, and sprains.
Others
- Utility: Hard stalks and leaves used for making brooms to sweep houses.

Studies
• Antifungal / Cadinanolide: Study yielded a new sesquiterpene lactone from a chloroform extract of P. spicatus which was shown to exhibit moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans and A. niger. (1)
• Hepatoprotective: Study evaluating the liver protective effect of E. scaber, E. mollis and P. spicatus on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity showed a moderate effect with P. spicatus. (2)
• Spicatolides / Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Lactones: Study yielded five new sesquiterpene lactones, spicatolides D-H with four known compounds. Tested against human cancer cell lines, compounds 1-4 showed cytotoxicity against the Hep3B and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. (3)
• Germacranolides: Study yielded two novel germacranolides, stigmasterol, and glaucolide B. (4)
• Teng-Khia-U / Anti-Inflammatory: 'Teng-Khia-U," a folk medicine from Taiwan, derived from E. scaber, E. mollis and P. spicatus, was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in CFA-induced chronic arthritis in rats. Results showed pretreatment with Teng-Khia-U significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced acute arthritis and significantly suppressed the development of chronic arthritis induced by CFA. (5)
• Antileishmanial / Sesquiterpene Lactones: Study yielded three moderately to strongly active compounds: two hirsutinolids (8,13-diacetyl-piptocarphol and the 8-acetyl-13-O-ethyl-piptocarphol) and ursolic acid. IC50 against Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes were 0.3, 0.37, and0.99, while IC50 for amphotericin B is 0.41 uM. (7)
• Cytotoxicity Bioassay: Study evaluated P. spicatus extract for biologic activity using Brine Shrimp Bioassay using four concentrations (1p, 100, 500, 1000 ppm). Decoction and ethanol-water extract were inactive against brine shrimp. The absolute ethanol extract showed the presence of cytotoxic substances and better extraction of active components than hot water or mixture or mixture of ethanol and water.  (12)
• Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Lactones / Anticancer Against Hep3B and MCF-7 Cancer Cell Lines: Study of aerial parts of Pseudelephantopus spicatus isolated five new sesquiterpene lactones, spicatolides D-H (1-5) along with four known compounds from the EA extract of aerial parts. Compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic effects against five human cancer cell lines. Compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed cytotoxicity (IC50 <5µg/mL) against Hep3B and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. (13)
• Teng-Khia- U / Hepatoprotective: Teng-Khia-U is a Taiwanese folk medicine derived from entire plants of Elephantus scaber, E. mollis, and Pseudelephantopus spicatus. Study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of water extracts of these three plants against beta-D-galactosamine (D-GaIN)- ad acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic injury in rats. Results showed decrease in enzyme levels after treatment with the crude extracts of Teng-Khia-U. (14)
• Phytoremediation Study / Lead Contaminated Soil: Study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of Pseudelephantopus spicatus on plant tolerance to lead (Pb)-contaminated soil and its mechanism for Pb uptake. Results showed plants in Pb-treated soil had significantly shorter shoot length, and smaller width of largest leaf, and reduced number of leaves compared to control. Pb uptake increased with longer exposure time. However, higher lead concentration was observed in the soil compared to Pb in the roots. Results demonstrated the plant has tolerance as a Pb excluder, and may not be a good candidate for phytoremediation. However, further studies on effects of different Pb concentrations, higher time intervals response or use of chelating agents and fertilizers may improve its potential for phytoremediation. (15)
• Antioxidant / Antimicrobial / Thrombolytic / Analgesic: Methanolic extracts of P. spicatus were subjected to in vitro and in vivo bioassays. The methanol extract exhibited most potent free radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay (IC50=76.11 µg/ml). Antimicrobial screening of kupchan fraction showed notable inhibition by DCMSP fraction with 6 to 16 mm zones of inhibition. The EtAcSP showed significant thrombolytic activity (290.16%). Extracts and fractions exhibited brine shrimp lethality at varying concentrations. P. spicatus exhibited promising peripheral and central analgesic, antidiarrheal, anti-depressant, and hypoglycemic activities at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg in Swiss albino mice. (see constituents above) (16)
• Neuroprotective / Leaves: Study evaluated a methanol extract of leaves (MEPSL) for phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, and neuropharmacological effects in Swiss albino mice. GC-MS revealed key phytoconstituents, including 9,12-octadecadienoic acid and hexadecanoic acid methyl ester. MEPSL showed moderate antioxidant activity by DPPH and superoxide scavenging assays, with 13.264 mg GAE/g and 43.692 mg QE/g for phenolics and flavonoids, respectively. Behavioral tests using Hole Board Test, Elevated Plus Maze, Forced Swimming Test and Tail Suspension Test showed dose dependent anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, especially at 200 mg/kg (p<0.001). Docking studies indicated strong GABA receptor binding, particularly with 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (-6.6 kcal/mo;). Neuropharmacological effects were attributed to high flavonoid content and phytochemicals with known CNS activity. (17)

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
An Antifungal Cadinanolide from Pseudoelephantopus spicatus / Consolacion Ragasa and John Rideout / CHEMICAL & PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN, Vol. 49 (2001) , No. 10 1359
(2)
The pharmacological and pathological studies on Taiwan folk medicine (VI): The effects of Elephantopus scaber subsp. oblanceolata, E. mollis and Pseudoelephantopus spicatus / Lin CC, Yen MH, Chiu HF / Am J Chin Med. 1991;19(1):41-50.
(3)
Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Lactones from Pseudoelephantopus spicatus / Yu-Liang Yang, Sue-Ming Chang et al / J Nat Prod, 2007, 70, 1761-1765
(4)
Germacranolides from Pseudoelephantopus spicatus / Consolacion Ragasa, William Padolina et al / Phytochemistry, Volume 33, Issue 3, 18 June 1993, Pages 627-629 / doi:10.1016/0031-9422(93)85461-Y
(5)
Anti-inflammatory effects of Taiwan folk medicine ‘Teng-Khia-U’ on carrageenan- and adjuvant-induced paw edema in rats / Chin-Chuan Tsai and Chun-Ching Lin / Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 64, Issue 1, 1 January 1998, Pages 85-89 / doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00108-1
(6)
Elephantopus spicatus (Juss. ex AuBlume) C.F.Baker / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(7)
Antileishmanial sesquiterpene lactones from Pseudelephantopus spicatus, a traditional remedy from the Chayahuita Amerindians (Peru). Part III. / Odonne G, Herbette G, Eparvier V, Bourdy G, Rojas R, Sauvain M, Stien D. / J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Sep 1;137(1): pp 875-879 / DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.008
(8)
Pseudelephantopus spicatus / Common names / Pacific Islands Ecosystems at Risk / PIER
(9)
Herbs and herbal constituents active against snake bite / Antony Gomex et al / Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 48, Sept 2010, pp 865-878
(10)
The isolation and structure determination of the major constituents of Ageratum conyzoides L. and Pseudelephantopus spicatus Rohr / Ticzon EC / SCINET-PHIL
(11)
Pseudelephantopus spicatus (Juss. ex Aubl.) Gleason / Chinese name / Catalogue of Life, China
(12)
Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) Bioassay of the medicinal plant Pseudelephantopus spicatus from Iligan City, Philippines / Jeda A Lalisan, Olga Nuneza, Mylene Uy / International Research Journal of Biological Sciences, Vol 3(9): pp 47-50, Sept 2014
(13)
Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Lactones from Pseudoelephantopus spicatus / Yu-Liang Yang, Sue-Ming Chang, Ching-Chung Wu, Pei-Wen Hsieh, Shu-Li Chen, Fang-Rong Chang, Wen-Chun Hung, Hamad H Issa, Yang-Chang Wu / / J. Nat. Prod., 2007, 70 (11), pp 1761–1765 / DOI: 10.1021/np070331q
(14)
Evaluation of hepatoprotective effects of Taiwan folk medicine 'Teng-Khia-U'  [1995] / Lin, C.C.Tsai, C.C.Yen, M.H. / AGRIS: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
(15)
Phytoremediation potential of Dilang-aso (Pseudelephantopus spicatus (Juss.) Rohr)in lead-contaminated soil / Alwyn Jan Derrick Lu, Frederick John Navarro, Ronald Pascual, Lydia Clemen-Pascual / Journal of Agricultural Research, Development, Extension, and Technology, 2020; 2(1): pp 40-52
(16)
Studies of phytochemical analysis, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the local Pseudoelephantopus spicatus plant / Md Hasan Ali, Shariful Islam, Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, Tanvir Muslim et al / Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy, 2024; 18(7): pp 114-126 / DOI: 10.5897/AJPP2023.5354 /
ISSN: 1996-0816
(17)
Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effects of Pseudoelephantopus spicatus / Shagupta Zohiriah Ahmed Warsi, Anwar Parvez, Abdullah Al Noman et al / Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem, 202 / PMID: 40965017 / DOI: 10.2174/0118715249382386250831055558. 
(18)
Ethnomedicinal plantsused for the treatment of cuts and wounds by the Agusan Manobo of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, Philippines / Mark Lloyd G Dapar, Ulrich Meve et al / Ethnobotany Research & Applications, 2020: 19:31 / DOI: 10.32859/era.19.31.1-18

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