A nanoformulated weed with antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity: Sonchus asper (L.) Hill

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill is an annual or biennial wild edible herb belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is widely used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine typically eaten as a side dish or a soup in southern Italy. Moreover, different scientific studies report the numerous beneficial properties of S. asper attributable to the polyphenols, terpenes, and carotenoids present in fresh leaves and their extracts. The present study used a dual strategy: to contribute to the rediscovery of ancient dishes along with the preservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and evaluate the non-edible leaves of S. asper for recovery and valorization of food waste through the creation of a nanoformulation with potential biological activities.