Argemone mexicana : The Thorny Treasure of  Papaveraceae Family

 

Khan Hamida Ab.Taksim*, Ansari Afira Abeeda, Khan Mukhlisa A.

JIIU’s Ali- Allana College Pharmacy, Akkalkuwa, District Nandurbar, MS, India

 

*Correspondence: hamidakhan820@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71431/IJRPAS.2025.4318

Article Information		Abstract
Review Article Received: 07/03/2025 Accepted: 13/03/2025 Published: 31/03/2025   Keywords Argemone Mexicana; Papaveraceae; Pharmacology; Pharmacognosy;		Argemon mexicana is a native herb commonly known as prickly pear .The presence of Khaskhasah. It belongs to the family Papaveraceae. Argemon is noted as Mexicana to preserve the pharmacological benefits of the traditional medical system. In the latter case growing interest in pharmacy education over the decades .This plant has a variety of properties and includes antibacterial, antidiabetic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity. Also reported for the plant other services include orthopedic services, wound healing services, cancer services, anthelmintic activity and neuropharmacological evaluation. In the light of these the plant can be represented as a valuable source of medicinal products pharmaceutical products. In this study, many medicinal applications, phytochemical constituents and some hazardous effects of this plant has been highlighted.

 

INTRODUCTION

Argemone mexicana L., also referred to as Ghamoya (Class: Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons; Subclass: Magnoliidae; Order: Papaverales; Family: Papaveraceae), is a South American foreign weed that is widely found in a number of tropical and sub-tropical countries, including West Africa. This plant is commonly found in India by the sides of roads and next to farms.

In India, A. mexicana is regarded as a significant medicinal plant. The yellow juice that the plant releases when it is harmed has long been used as a traditional remedy for a variety of ailments, including dropsy, jaundice, ophthalmia, scabies, and dermatological diseases. This plant's many parts are used to treat chronic skin conditions, as well as emetic, expectorant, demulcent, and diuretic properties. The seeds and seed oil are used to treat intestinal affections, ulcers, asthma, and dysentery. It has also been stated that leaves and seeds, which have anti-venom properties, can help maintain normal blood circulation and cholesterol levels in the human body. Flowers have been used to cure coughs because they are expectorant.[1]

Tumors, warts, skin conditions, inflammation, rheumatism, jaundice, leprosy, microbiological infections, and malaria are among the conditions that the plant is used to cure in many regions of the world.

 

Taxonomy:[3]

Domain: Eukaryota^[5]

Kingdom : Planate

Phylum: Spermatophyta

Subphylum: Angiospermae^[5]

Super division : Spermatophyta^[5]

Division : Magnoliophyta

Class : Magnliopsida,Dicotyledonae^[5]

Subclass : Magnoliidae

Order : Papaverales

Family : Papaveraceae

Genus : Argemone

Species : Argemone Mexicana

 

 

Synonyms:[4]

Argemone alba, Raf.

Argemone mexicana var. lutea Kuntze.

Argemone mexicana var. mexicana.

Argemone mexicana var. ochroleuca Britton.

Argemone mexicana var. parviflora Kuntze.

Argemone mucronata Dum.Cours.ex Steud.

Argemone sexvalvis Stokes.

Argemone spinosa Gaterau.

Argemone spinosa Moench.

Argemone versicolor Salisb.

Argemone vulgaris Spach.

Echtrus mexicanus (L.)Nieuwl.

Echtrus trivialis Lour.

Papaver mexicanum (L.)E.H.L.Krause.

Argemone leiocarpa Greene 1898.

Vernacular (Regional) Names:[5]

The plant is known by different vernacular names in the different areas by the local people.

Language	Vernacular Names
Marathi	Phirangi Dhotra
Hindi	Satyanashi
Bengali	Barashil-kantal
Assamese	Kuhum-kata, Sial-kanta
English	Mexican Poppy, Prickly poppy, Yellow mexican poppy
Kannada	Datturi Gidda
Konkani	Phirangi Dhutro
Malayalam	Ponnumattu
Sanskrit	Kshirini, Swarnakshiri
Tamil	Piramathanda
Telugu	Brahmadandi
Irula	Mulluumathai
Other	Bhramadanthi, Mullu Umathai, Pivla dhotra

 

Description:

Mexican poppy, or Argemone Mexicana, is a prickly dicot plant that belongs to the Papavercaea family.[3] Argemone mexicana is an annual herb with a somewhat branching tap root that can reach a height of 150 cm.[6]

Seeds: A delicate network of veins covers the nearly spherical, brownish-black, and roughly 1 mm in diameter seeds.[6]

Stem: The stems are oblong and green in color.^[It is typically very thorny and has branches. When chopped, it releases a yellow liquid.[6]

Leaves: Leaves are alternating, thistle-like, toothed (serrate), and have prickly borders. They also lack petioles, which are leaf stalks. The bluish-green upper leaf surface contrasts sharply with the grey-white veins. The cross-section of the stem is oblong.[6]

Flowers: Flowers are solitary, yellow, 2.5–5 cm in diameter, and found at the terminal points of the branches. Its blossoms are bright yellow.[6]

Fruits: Fruits is an egg-shaped (ovoid) or prickly oblong capsule.[6]

Because the entire plant is covered with prickles, A. mexicana is rapidly spreading over the world and has earned the nickname "prickly poppy." This natural plant grows as a weed next to fields, wells, abandoned areas, roadside ditches, and agricultural waste areas, among other places. It grows best on light sandy soil with little alkaline medium.[3]

Distribution:

A. mexicana is a weed that is becoming more and more unwelcome worldwide.The plant was also introduced to the Czech Republic, where it is currently considered a rare neophyte. In Europe, Great Britain, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland have previously found it. Many African nations have it, including Niger, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The plant can also be found in practically every state in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Java, Japan, Pakistan, and Bahrain. In the Middle East, it is also expanding in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Syria (Sharanappa and Vidyasagar 2014).On the American continent,A.mexicana can also be found in place like Barbados,Argentina,and Antigua.[7]

Traditional uses:[9]

In traditional medicine, A.mexicana is widely used to treat a wide range of illnesses. Numerous plant components were widely used in homeopathic, Siddha, Ayurvedic, and Unani remedies.

In Ayurveda: The entire A. mexicana plant works well as a diuretic, purgative, and against guineaworm infestations. In addition to acting as an emetic, expectorant, demulcent, and laxative, the plant's seeds are used as an antidote for snake poisoning. Warts, cold sores, cutaneous infections, itching, jaundice, and dropsy are all treated using protein-dissolving agents that contain seed extract.Seeds work well for jaundice, dropsy, ulcers, and skin infections. The plant's juice treats corneal opacity and eye conditions. Skin conditions are treated using the seed's oil. In addition to being antihelmentic, roots are used to treat inflammations, leprosy, and skin conditions.

In Siddha medicine: This plant is commonly used to treat leucorrhea, scorpion bites, photophobia, and venereal sores. Black pepper and leaves are used to treat diabetes. The latex of A. mexicana is applied topically to the boil site to treat it. Dental conditions are treated with the entire plant. Ulcers and malarial fever are treated with leaf decoction. The plant's juice is administered on scorpion stings. Dropsy, jaundice, and leprosy can all be prevented with seeds.

In Unani medicine: As an aphrodisiac and expectorant, A. mexicana aids in the richness of blood. Leucoderma and other skin conditions are also treated with it.

In Homeopathic medicine:The medication made from this plant works wonders for treating tape worm infections. According to reports, the entire plant is used to cure bronchitis and whooping cough.

Pharmacognostical Studies:

Macroscopical Studies:

Using sensory organs, the morphological characteristics of the fresh aerial portions of Argemone mexicana, including size, shape, color, and leaf structure, including margin, venation, and inflorescence, fruit, etc., were observed macroscopically. Additionally, using the usual definitions of terms like color, taste, texture, and odor, various organoleptic parameters of the powdered sample were also detected.[10]

Microscopical Studies:

To remove carefully derived tiny sections of the fresh leaf, such as transverse sections of the lamina with the midrib, other portions of the entire leaf, surface preparations of both epidermises, and small amounts of the leaf powder, a few drops of chloral hydrate solution were gently heated with a spirit lamp. Following their mounting in diluted glycerol, they were viewed using a compound microscope at the proper magnifications (x100 and x400), and a photomicrograph was taken with a cell phone camera.[10]

Chemo-microscopic examination

To determine if the following chemical compounds were present or absent, the powdered aerial component sample was processed (mounted) on microscope slides using the proper chemical reagents and examined under a microscope: sudan IV solution, ferric chloride solution for tannins, and phloroglucinol plus concentrated hydrochloric acid for lignin Argemone mexicana 17 for oil, N/50 iodine solution for starch, Million's reagent for proteins, and chloral hydrate plus hydrochloric acid for calcium oxalate were the subjects of pharmacognostic, physicochemical, and phytochemical studies.[10]

Phytochemical Review:[8]

Many phytochemicals found in Argemone Mexicana L. are used to treat a variety of illnesses. This plant is also easily accessible and financially viable. Numerous phytochemicals, including carotenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, pectins, tannins, coumarins, flavonoids, and terpenoids, are present in high concentrations in Argemone Mexicana L., according to scientific research. In a similar manner, several bioactive substances have been separated and identified from those groupings. α and β allocryptopines, codeine, paveramine, narcotine, papaverine, and other compounds are among the numerous chemicals that have been identified from Argemone Mexicana L.

Glaucopicrin, papaverosin, chelidoxanthin, and other bitter components are important. The seeds of Argemone Mexicana L. contain an essential oil called Argemone oil, while the resin contains berberine and protopine. The fresh flowers of the plant also contain isorhamnetion and other compounds.

Thalifone, sanguinarine, protopine, optisine, chelerytherine, and benzylisoquinoline alkaloids have all been shown to be present in the entire Argemone Mexicana L. plant.

Berberine, cryptopine, coptisine, muramine, scoulerine, stylopine, cheilkanthifoline, sanguinarine, sarguinarine, chelerytherine, sanguinarine, thalifoline, and protopine are among the several isoquinoline alkaloids that have been identified in the plant. Argemone oil, another name for seed oil, is said to include dihydrosanguinarine and sanguinarine. Additionally, it contains oleic, linoleic, myristic, and palmitic acids.Additionally, 40% of the seed oil is made up of free fatty acid glycerides.

Pharmacological properties and benefits of Argemone Mexicana:[7]

PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW:

Wound healing activity :

Excision, incision, and dead space wound models were used to test the healing properties of several Argemone Mexicana L. leaf extracts in Wistar albino rats. According to the findings, rats' wounds healed more quickly after being treated with a methanol extract of Argemone Mexicana L. leaves (Patil et al., 2001).[8]

Anti-fertility activity:

When given to dogs at stage XII of late spermatids at a dose of 30 mg/kg for 70 days, three isoquinoline alkaloids—dihydropalmatine hydroxide, berberine, and protopine—isolated from Argemone mexicana seeds were found to have inhibitory activity against spermatogenesis; the number of spermatids decreased by 46.5, 58.0, and 97.7% with these compounds, respectively (Gupta et al., 1990). Additionally, the chemicals protopine and berberine also reduced the overall number of mature Leydig cells. According to reports, the relative antispermatogenic action was as follows: dihydropalmatine > berberine > protopine.[1]

Antihelmintic activity:

According to Jaliwala et al. (2011), the aqueous plant extracts of A. mexicana are effective as a strong antihelmintic against the Indian earthworm Pheritima posthuma. The antihelmintic activity of alcohol and aqueous leaf extracts against P. posthuma and Ascardia galli was also examined by Majeed et al. (2011) in a dose-dependent manner (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL). They discovered that both extracts exhibit significant antihelmintic activity at a concentration of 100 mg/mL.[1]

Antipyretic activity:

The phytochemical components, including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic compounds as tannins, and saponins, present in the water aqueous extract of Argemone Mexicana L. leaves, may be responsible for the antipyretic potential demonstrated by the two doses of drug extract (Sourabie et al, 2012; Owele et al, 2005).[8]

Anti-diabetic activity:

Hyperglycemia is a defining feature of diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disease. In traditional medicine, the plant Argemone Mexicana L. is thought to have anti-diabetic properties. To find out how different extracts of different sections of Argemone Mexicana L. may have anti-diabetic effects, numerous in vitro and in vivo investigations have been conducted. In one study, rats with diabetes induced by alloxan were used to test the antidiabetic efficacy of Argemone Mexicana L. aqueous extract (Nayak et al., 2011).[8]

 Anti inflammatory/Analgesic Activity:

Many medical conditions start with inflammation, a biological process that releases anti-inflammatory chemicals such prostaglandin, histamine, kinins, and serotonins. The body uses inflammation as one of its main physiological defenses against infections, burns, poisonous substances, allergies, and other unpleasant stimuli. The word analgesic means "relief from pain," and it has been demonstrated that certain phytochemicals derived from Argemone Mexicana L. are highly potent analgesics.[8]

Anti-cancer activity:

It has been discovered that several plants and their separated components may have anticancer properties. Since Argemone Mexicana L. includes a variety of chemical ingredients, the most prevalent of which are alkaloids, it has been thoroughly examined as one of the ethno-medicinal plants to suppress the multiplication of tumor cells. In one study, the aerial part of Argemone Mexicana L. yielded six alkaloids: 13-oxoprotopine, protomexicine, 8-ethoxydihydrosanguinarine, dehydrocorydalmine, jatrorrhizine, and 8-xyberberine. The cytotoxicity of these alkaloids was assessed using the human colon cancer cell line SW480. Cell viability was used to assess the cytotoxic effects of isolated alkaloids at varying doses. Dehydrocorydalmine demonstrated high cytotoxicity (~48%) at 200 mg/mL, but protomexicine and 13-oxoprotopine shown mild cytotoxicity (~24–28%).[8]

Antiulcer/anti-urolithiatic activity:

Argemone Mexicana L. is a plant that has long been used to cure ulcers and related conditions. Das et al. looked at how oral administration of methanolic and aqueous extract of Argemone Mexicana L. affected rats' duodenal ulcers caused by cysteamine hydrochloride. The results of the investigation showed that both plant extracts significantly inhibited the development of experimentally induced duodenal ulcers in rats. Compared to the methanolic extract, the aqueous extract exhibited stronger efficacy in a dose-dependent manner. It has also been reported that Argemone Mexicana L. has anti-urolithiasis and diuretic properties. Calcifications that develop in the urinary system, first in the kidney (nephrolithiasis) or ureter (ureterolithiasis), can also develop in or spread to the lower urinary system, such as the bladder or urethra. [8]

Larvicidal / anti-parasitic / antimalarial activity:

In order to avoid the unavoidable toxicity and resistance problems brought on by synthetic chemical pesticides, plant extracts, also known as phytochemicals, are becoming more and more popular as low-cost, biodegradable, environmentally safe, and environmentally friendly natural forms of pest management. Parts of the Argemone Mexicana L. plant have been shown to have a lethal effect on a variety of parasitic species, including insects, worms, vermin, and mosquitoes. Numerous investigations have verified that Argemone Mexicana L. includes alkaloids that exhibit target specificity to various infectious disease vectors, including berberine, palmatine, sanguinarine, protoberberine, benzophenanthridine, benzylisoquinoline, and protopine. Sakthivadivel et al. assessed the larvicidal efficacy of plant leaf extracts against the lymphatic filariasis vector, Culex quinquefasciatus larvae.[8]

Antimicrobial (Antifungal/ Antibacterial/ Antiviral) activity:

The plant Argemone Mexicana L. prevents the growth of several microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and harmful fungus. Typically spread by soil, water, air, and food, bacteria are the most adaptable unicellular pathogens and cause a wide range of infectious diseases in both people and animals. Many natural remedies made from medicinal plants can heal these kinds of illnesses. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that the turmeric plant inhibits the growth of numerous bacteria, parasites, and pathogenic fungus (Pardhe D.D., 2021). Several studies have detailed the function of Argemone Mexicana L. in inhibiting microbial growth. Rahman et al studied various extracts (hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol) of Argemone Mexicana L. stems in vitro and determined the antibacterial activity, using agar diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination method against ten (five Gram positive and five Gram negative) food-borne pathogenic bacteria (Rahman et al., 2009). Many reports have been done out to evaluate the antibacterial determines of Argemone Mexicana L. extracts (Osho & Adentunji, 2010). According to Santosh K. Singh et al. (2009) and Shyam & Dhanpal (2010), extracts from the leaves and seeds of Argemone Mexicana L. demonstrated strong antibacterial activity. It was discovered that Argemone Mexicana L.'s stem and essential oil had strong antibacterial properties (Mashiar et al., 2009). Antioxidants were thought to be responsible for the plant extracts' ability to prevent the growth of microbes (Perumal et al., 2010).[8]

Anti-HIV action:

The methanolic extract of Argemone Mexicana L. included a few known alkaloids that were tested for anti-HIV activity. With EC50 and TI values of 1.77 μ ml-1 and 14.6, respectively, benzo[c]phenanthridine (+/-)-6-acetonyldihydro chelerythrine stood out among these in terms of its anti-HIV activity in H9 lymphocyte cells (Chang et al., 2003).[8]

Anti-asthmatic action:

A significant effect on the incidence of asthama was demonstrated by the antiasthamatic activity of Argemone Mexicana L. seed powder (100–200 mg) administered twice daily for two weeks (Bhalke and Gosavi, 2009).[8]

Antistress and antiallergic action:

In cases of milk-induced eosinophilia and asthma brought on by leucocytosis, the stem of Argemone Mexicana L. shown antiallergic and anti-stress properties. This demonstrated that the polar components of plant stems had anti-allergic and anti-stress properties (Piacente et al., 1997).[8]

Larvicidal activity:

According to reports, the acetone fraction of the petroleum ether extract of A. mexicana seeds has larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae in their second instar. With an LC50 value of 13.58 in the field and 17.43 in the lab, the extract caused 100% larval mortality.[9]

Hepatoprotective activity:

A. mexicana stem aqueous extract was shown to have antihepatotoxic effects in male Albino wistar rats that were hepatotoxically caused by CCl4. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase were reduced when the extract was administered orally at doses of 150 and 250 mg/kg body weight. It was also noted that the treated rats' body weight increased.[9]

CONCLUSION:

The many therapeutic qualities of the plant A. mexicana in the traditional medical system lead to the conclusion that it is a valuable medicinal herb. Additionally, scientific studies demonstrated its pharmacological effectiveness. This plant offers pharmacologists hope for the development of new, side-effect-free medications. The conservation and appropriate use of the A. mexicana plant should also be prioritized.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

We would like to express my special gratitude to Dr. G. J. Khan, Principal, JIIU'S Ali Allana College of Pharmacy Akkalkuwa and Management of Jamia Iamia Ishaatul Uloom Akkalkuwa for their continuous motivation and providing all necessary facilities during completion of this work.

REFERENCES:

1.      Brahmachari, G., Gorai, D., & Roy, R.(2013).Argemone mexicana: chemical and pharmacological aspects. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia, 23(3), 559-575. Laboratory of Natural Products & Organic Synthesis, Department of Chemistry, Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal, India. Review.

2.      Pardhe, D. D. (2024). The study of phytochemical constituents and medicinal applications of Argemone mexicana L.International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR), 6(2), March-April. E-ISSN: 2582-2160. Head and Research Guide, Department of Botany, Sant Dnyaneshwar Mahavidyalaya, Tal. Soegaon, Dist. Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, M.S.

3.      Kumar, S., & Kumar, A. (2023). Botanical description along with an extensive research article on a medicinal plant of Argemone mexicana and their medicinal importance with phytochemical potential. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences (WJPLS), 9(9), 95-100. ISSN: 2454-2229. SJIF Impact Factor: 6.129. Retrieved from www.wjpls.org. 1Department of Pharmaceutics, L.N. Pharmacy College, Baitalpur, Deoria, U.P.; 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy College, Itaura, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, U.P.

4.      Sharanappa, R., & Vidyasagar, G. M. (2014). Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Argemone mexicana Linn. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Retrieved from https://journals.innovareacademics.in/index.php/ijpps/article/view/2013/10468. Medicinal Plants and Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Post-Graduate Studies and Research in Botany, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga-585106, Karnataka, India. Email: gmvidyasagar@rediffmail.com.

5.      Dalvi, S. S., Khairnar, P. R., & Awari, A. V. (2021).Review on Argemone mexicana: multipurpose role in management of human health. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT), 9(12), IJCRT2112002. ISSN: 2320-2882. Retrieved from www.ijcrt.org

6.      MEAMP – Appear Project Argemone MexicanaDuration: September 2012 – August 2024

7.      Patocka, J., Ovando-Martinez, M., Navratilova, Z., Oleksak, P., Ogwu, M. C., Nepovimova, E., & Kuca, K. (2024). Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae): chemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. Phytochem Rev. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-024-09918-y

8.      Pardhe, D. D.(2024). The study of phytochemical constituents and medicinal applications of Argemone mexicana L. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR), 6(2), March-April. E-ISSN: 2582-2160. Head and Research Guide, Department of Botany, Sant Dnyaneshwar Mahavidyalaya, Tal. Soegaon, Dist. Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, M.S. Retrieved from www.ijfmr.com

9.      Priya, C. L., & Rao, K. V. B.(2012).Ethanobotanical and current ethnopharmacological aspects of Argemone mexicana Linn: An overview. IJPSR, 3(07). Received on March 7, 2012; revised on April 17, 2012; accepted on June 22, 2012. Molecular and Microbiology Research Lab, Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore-632 014, Tamil Nadu, India.

10.  Dénou, A., Ahmed, A., Dafam, D. G., Yakubu, T. P., Sanogo, R., Diallo, D., & Alemika, T. E. (2020).Pharmacognostic, physicochemical and phytochemical investigations on aerial parts of Argemone mexicana L.Research Journal of Pharmacognosy (RJP), 7(3), 15-24. DOI: 10.22127/rjp.2020.220380.1559. Received: February 19, 2020; Accepted: May 26, 2020; Published online: May 27, 2020.

11.  https://www.quintadosouriques.com/store/seeds/flowers/mexican-poppy-mexican-prickly-poppy-flowering-thistle-cardo-or-cardosanto/ ) (07/02/2025).

12.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argemone_mexicana (07/02/2025).