A comprehensive review on wedelolactone: natural sources, total synthesis, and pharmacological activities

Plant-derived natural products have long been a crucial source for developing therapeutic drugs. Wedelolactone (WDL), a coumestan isolated from Eclipta prostrata Linn, Wedelia calendulacea Less, Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr and Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski, exhibits a wide range of therapeutic potentials, including anticancer, anti-inflammation, anti-obesity, anti-myotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, and tissue-protective activities. This review summarizes the isolation, total synthesis, pharmacological activity, underlying mechanisms, and pharmacokinetic properties of WDL. It also provides insights into its potential clinical applications and further drug discovery using WDL or its derivatives alone, or in combination with other drugs.