Review on Phytochemistry, Traditional uses, and Biological Activities of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a family member of Asteraceae and is a notorious weed with a few different names as congress weed, carrot weed (Gajarghas), and wild feverfew. It poses significant threats to human health, agriculture, and biodiversity in regions like Australia and India. This harmful plant is associated with a range of health issues including mutagenicity, skin rashes, Diarrhea, allergy-related respiratory issues, dermatitis through contact, and skin allergies, as well as animal and human dehydration. Efforts to manage Parthenium weed have often been ineffective due to its rapid re-infestation. Despite its acknowledged toxicity, Parthenium is still used in traditional medicine for treating fevers, headaches, wounds, diabetes, diarrhea, anemia, heart problems, and malaria. Studies have indicated that P. hysterophorus L. extract contains a diverse range of compounds including proteins, amino acids, terpenoids, quinones, alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, and coumarins. Essential oils from this plant contain compounds such as germacrene-D, β-myrcene, and trans-β-ocimene, which are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, insecticidal, larvicidal, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, and anticancer properties. This review paper's objective is to furnish a thorough summary encompassing the phytochemistry, ethnobotanical applications, toxicology, and biological activities linked with P. hysterophorus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]