A Systematic Review of the Potential of <em>Acmella </em>Genus Plants for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: The genus Acmella has received growing attention for its pharmacological properties, including its potential applications in musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). Plants in this genus such as Spilanthes acmella, Blainvillea acmella, Acmella uliginosa and Acmella oleracea contain various bioactive compounds which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-arthritic properties. This systematic review evaluates the clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the use of plants from Acmella genus for treatment of MSD such as arthritis, osteoporosis, muscle injuries, joint inflammation, and other related pathologies. Methods: The methodology used in this study involved a systematic literature review, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, along with synthesis analysis and quality appraisal. The articles were retrieved from Scopus, Google Scholar and PubMed databases. Results: Eleven articles were further analysed to determine the therapeutic potential of Acmella genus plants for musculosketelal disorders. The plants included were Spilanthes acmella, Blainvillea acmella, Acmella uliginosa, and Acmella olerecia. The musculoskeletal disorders investigated were osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and myopathies. The extracts from these plants were shown to decrease inflammation, enhance joint health, relieve pain, and stimulate osteogenic activity. These effects may be contributed with several active compounds found in these plants. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that Spilanthes acmella and Blainvillea acmella have potential to treat osteoporosis. Acmella oleracea and Acmella uliginosa have potential to be used for treatment of osteoarthritis while Spilanthes acmella in treating myopathies. Further research is needed to establish efficacy, optimal dosing, and safety of these plants.