Toxicology, Phytochemistry, Bioactive compounds and Pharmacology of Parthenium hysterophorus

Parthenium hysterophorus, members of the Asteraceae family is a noxious weed in America, Asia, Africa and Australia. This weed is considered to be a cause of a spectrum of clinical patterns: allergic respiratory problems, contact dermatitis, mutagenicity in human and livestock. Its allelophathic nature can drastically reduced the crop production and aggressive dominance of this weed threatens biodiversity. Attempts to control spread of the plant have so far not been successful. On the other hand, P. hysterophorus confers many health benefits, viz remedy for skin inflammation, rheumatic pain, diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, dysentery, malaria, psoriasis, allergies, asthma, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, neuralgia. This plant traditionally used for the treatment of fevers, migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, stomachaches, toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and labor during childbirth. The plant contains a large number of important bioactive compounds, mainly sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoid glycosides and pinenes. It has multiple pharmacologic properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, antispasmodic, an emmenagogue, and as an enema for worms. The aim of this review article is to explore the toxicological reports of P. hysterophorus, summarized the active compounds responsible for different pharmacological properties, the effective control measures that can be implemented as well as to unravel the latent beneficial prospects of this weed. Keyword: Parthenium hysterophorus, Sesquiterpene lactone, Dermatitis, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activity, Toxicity.