Abstract
Saussurea lappa
(
Qusṭ
), a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, has been widely used in Unani, Ayurvedic, and other traditional medical systems for treating liver, digestive, and inflammatory disorders. Historically valued across Greek, Roman, Arab, and South Asian cultures,
Qusṭ
has held therapeutic, cultural, and economic significance for centuries. This review integrates classical descriptions with modern research to provide a comprehensive assessment of its hepatoprotective potential. A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, the AYUSH Research Portal, and the Clinical Trials Registry of India, as well as authenticated classical Unani texts. Studies describing taxonomy, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and clinical research related to
S. lappa
were included.
Qusṭ
roots contain numerous bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpene lactones, essential oils, resins, flavonoids, and inulin. These constituents exhibit hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and hypolipidemic activities. Modern
in vitro
and
in vivo
studies demonstrate significant protection against D-galactosamine and LPS-induced hepatic injury, suppression of oxidative stress, inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, and strong antiviral effects against the hepatitis B virus. Clinical trials registered in Clinical Trials Registry – India further indicate that
Qusṭ,
particularly in combination with
Artemisia absinthium
, may improve immunological parameters in chronic hepatitis B patients. Traditional Unani concepts describe
Qusṭ
as hot and dry, consistent with its digestive, carminative, and liver-strengthening actions, which align with contemporary pharmacological findings. Despite promising evidence, further standardized clinical trials are required to validate efficacy, optimize dosage, and ensure safety.