Author(s):
Harsh Vardhan, Ashish Jain, Akhlesh Kumar Singhai
Email(s):
hvardhan1020@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/0975-4385.2025.00025 
Address:
Harsh Vardhan, Ashish Jain, Akhlesh Kumar Singhai
School of Pharmacy, LNCT University, Kolar Road, Bhopal, 462042. Madhya Pradesh.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 17,
Issue - 2,
Year - 2025
ABSTRACT:
Argemone mexicana, commonly known as Mexican prickly poppy, is a medicinal plant recognized for its extensive therapeutic applications across various disease conditions. Traditionally employed in folk medicine, A. mexicana is utilized to treat ailments such as respiratory disorders, skin diseases, and digestive issues. This review highlights the plant's key phytochemical constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins, which contribute to its pharmacological properties. Research has demonstrated its efficacy in managing inflammatory conditions, infections, and even chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer. Notably, A. mexicana exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective activities, making it a valuable candidate for integrative health approaches. Despite its therapeutic potential, concerns regarding toxicity and dosage require careful consideration. The paper also discusses the potential for A. mexicana in drug development, emphasizing its role in addressing contemporary health challenges. Challenges in standardization, toxicity, and regulatory hurdles are addressed, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and future directions for the therapeutic exploitation of this versatile plant. This review underscores the need for further clinical studies to establish safety profiles and optimize the use of A. mexicana in modern therapeutic regimens, paving the way for its inclusion in contemporary medicinal practices.
Cite this article:
Harsh Vardhan, Ashish Jain, Akhlesh Kumar Singhai. Exploring the Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Applications of Argemone mexicana. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2025; 17(2):149-2. doi: 10.52711/0975-4385.2025.00025
Cite(Electronic):
Harsh Vardhan, Ashish Jain, Akhlesh Kumar Singhai. Exploring the Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Applications of Argemone mexicana. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2025; 17(2):149-2. doi: 10.52711/0975-4385.2025.00025 Available on: https://rjpponline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2025-17-2-12
REFERENCES:
1. Rosas-Pinon Y, Mejía A, Díaz-Ruiz G, Aguilar MI, Sánchez-Nieto S, Rivero-Cruz JF. Ethnobotanical survey and antibacterial activity of plants used in the Altiplane region of Mexico for the treatment of oral cavity infections. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012; 141(3):860-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.03.020.
2. Sharma J, Gairola S, Gaur RD, Painuli RM. The treatment of jaundice with medicinal plants in indigenous communities of the Sub-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012; 143(1): 262-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.034.
3. Husna SA, Reddy VJ. A review on Argemone mexicana. International Journal of Pharmaceutical science and research. 2017; 7:170-4. doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.3(8).2494-01.
4. Tewari D, Mocan A, Parvanov ED, Sah AN, Nabavi SM, Huminiecki L, Ma ZF, Lee YY, Horbańczuk JO, Atanasov AG. Ethnopharmacological Approaches for Therapy of Jaundice: Part I. Front Pharmacol. 2017 Aug 15; 8:518. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00518.
5. Arya P, Mehta JP. A review on antimicrobial and Himalayan medicinal plants. Environment Conservsation Journal. 2017; 18:46-62. doi.org/10.36953/ECJ.2017.181207.
6. Bhattacharjee I, Chatterjee SK, Chatterjee S, Chandra G. Antibacterial potentiality of Argemone mexicana solvent extracts against some pathogenic bacteria. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2006; 101(6):645-8. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762006000600011.
7. Bailon-Moscoso N, Romero-Benavides JC, Tinitana-Imaicela F, Ostrosky-Wegman P. Medicinal plants of Ecuador: A review of plants with anticancer potential and their chemical composition. Medicinal Chemistry Research. 2015; 24:2283-96. doi.org/10.1007/s00044-015-1335-7 ·
8. More NV, Kharat AS. Antifungal and Anticancer Potential of Argemone mexicana L. Medicines (Basel). 2016; 3(4):28. doi: 10.3390/medicines3040028.
9. Raman, R. Applicability, Feasibility and Efficacy of Phytotherapy in Aquatic Animal Health Management. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 2017; 8:257-287. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2017.82019.
10. Meda R, Kam S , Kagambega W, Zongo E, Ouedraogo C, Segda A, Koama B, Somda F, Zongo E and Ouedraogo G. A Review on Bioactive Compounds Isolated from Euphorbia hirta L. American Journal of Plant Sciences; 2023: 14:710-726. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2023.146048.
11. Siddiqui IA, Shaukat SS, Khan GH and Zaki MJ: Evaluation of Argemone mexicana for control of root‐infecting fungi in tomato. Journal of Phytopathology 2002; 150(6): 321-9. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0434.2002. 00762.x.
12. Morey PR, Wankhade AM, Vyas J V, Paithankar VV. A Review on Argemone maxicana Linn. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2023; 15(2):149-4. doi: 10.52711/0975-4385.2023.00023.
13. Chang YC, Chang FR, Khalil AT, Hsieh PW, Wu YC. Cytotoxic benzophenanthridine and benzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Argemone mexicana. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2003; 58 (7-8):521-6. doi: 10.1515/znc-2003-7-813.
14. Capasso A, Piacente S, Pizza C, De Tommasi N, Jativa C, Sorrentino L. Isoquinoline alkaloids from Argemone mexicana reduce morphine withdrawal in guinea pig isolated ileum. Planta Med. 1997; 63(4):326-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-957693.
15. Singh S, Singh DK. Effect of molluscicidal components of Abrus precatorius, Argemone mexicana and Nerium indicum on certain biochemical parameters of Lymnaea acuminata. Phytother Res. 1999; 13(3):210-3. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199905)13:3<210: AID-PTR421>3.0.CO;2-F.
16. Nancy A. and Praveena A. Argemone mexicana: A Boon to Medicinal and Pharmacological Approaches in Current Scenario. Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2017; 15:78-90. doi: 10.2174/1871525715666170830130155.
17. Chandani M, Jyochhana P M, Sushilta P, Chandrika S. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Argemone mexicana Linn – An Indian medicinal plant. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2023; 15(1):27-2. doi: 10.52711/0975-4385.2023.00005.
18. Dénou A, Ahmed A, Gwatau DD, Thomas P Y, Sanogo R, Diallo D, Alemika ET. Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical and Phytochemical Investigations on Aerial Parts of Argemone mexicana L. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy. 2020; 7(3): 15-24. doi: 10.22127/rjp.2020.220380.1559.
19. Pathak NKR, Biswas M, Seth KK, Dwivedi SPD, Pandey VB. Chemical investigation of Argemone mexicana. J Die Pharmazie. 1985; 40:202. doi.org/10.1590/S0102-695X2013005000021.
20. Haisova K, Slavik J. On the minor alkaloids from Argemone mexicana L. Collect Czech Chem Commun. 1975; 40: 1576-1578. doi.org/10.1135/cccc19751576.
21. Chang YC, Hsieh PW, Chang FR, Wu RR, Liaw CC, Lee KH, Wu YC. Two new protopines argemexicaines A and B and the anti-HIV alkaloid 6-acetonyldihydrochelerythrine from formosan Argemone mexicana. Planta Med. 2003; 69(2):148-52. doi: 10.1055/s-2003-37710.
22. Rahman W, Ilyas M. Flower Pigments. Flavonoids from Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae). J Org Chem. 1962; 27: 153-155. doi.org/10.1021/jo01048a037.
23. Sukumar D, Nambi RA, Sulochana N. Studies on the leaves of Agremone mexicana. Fitoterapia. 1984; 55: 325-353.
24. Gupta R, Dixit VP, & Dobhal M P. Antifertility studies of isoquinoline alkaloids with special emphasis on structure activity relationship. 1990; 61(1):67.
25. Singh S, Pandey VB, Singh TD. Alkaloids and flavonoids of Argemone mexicana. Nat Prod Res. 2012; 26(1):16-21. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2010.529809.
26. Zeng F.L & Xiang, Yang-Fei & Liang, Zhen-Ran & Wang, Xiao & Huang, Dan-E & Zhu, Sui-Nan & Li, Min-Min & Yang, De-Po & Wang, Dong-Mei & Wang, Yi-Fei. Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Effects of Dehydrocheilanthifoline from Corydalis saxicola. The American journal of Chinese medicine. 2013; 41:119-30. 10.1142/S0192415X13500092.
27. Singh A, Singh S, Singh S, Singh TD, Singh VP, Pandey VB, Singh UP 2009a. Fungal spore germination inhibition by alkaloids dehydrocorydalmine and oxyberberine. Journal of Plant Protection Research. 2009; 49(3): 287-289. DOI:10.2478/v10045-009-0046-9.
28. Sarraf S, Tyagi S, Ojha AC, Rawat GS. Phytochemical study of some medicinal plants. J Himalayan Chem Pharm Bull 1994; 11:22-4.
29. Singh S, Verma M, Malhotra M, Prakash S, Singh TD. Cytotoxicity of alkaloids isolated from Argemone mexicana on SW480 human colon cancer cell line. Pharm Biol. 2016; 54(4):740-5. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1073334.
30. Bijo Mathew, Della G.T. Parambi, Manjinder Singh, Omnia M. Hendawy, Mohammad M Al-Sanea, Rania B. Bakr. Chapter 3.1.12 – Protopine. Naturally Occurring Chemicals Against Alzheimer's Disease. Academic Press. 2021. 167-174. doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819212-2.00014-1.
31. Chen DT, Rao W, Shen X, Chen L, Wan ZJ, Sheng XP, Fan TY. Pharmacological effects of higenamine based on signalling pathways and mechanism of action. Front Pharmacol. 2022; 13:981048. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.981048.
32. Zhong M, Liu Y, Liu J, Di D, Xu M, Yang Y, Li W, Chen Y, Liu J. Isocorydine derivatives and their anticancer activities. Molecules. 2014; 19(8):12099-115. doi: 10.3390/molecules190812099.
33. Lyu X, Liu J, Liu Z, Wu Y, Zhu P, Liu C. Anti-inflammatory effects of reticuline on the JAK2/STAT3/SOCS3 and p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in a mouse model of obesity-associated asthma. Clin Respir J. 2024; 18(1): e13729. doi: 10.1111/crj.13729.
34. Yang Y, Ding T, Xiao G, Huang J, Luo D, Yue M, Su Y, Jiang S, Zeng J, Liu Y. Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Allocryptopine via the Target on the CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis/GNB5/AKT/NF-κB/Apoptosis in Dextran Sulfate-Induced Mice. Biomedicines. 2023; 11(2):464. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11020464.
35. Cheng H, Liu J, Tan Y, Feng W, Peng C. Interactions between gut microbiota and berberine, a necessary procedure to understand the mechanisms of berberine. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. 2022; 12(4): 541-555. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2021.10.003.
36. Hussain SF, Nakkady S, Khan L, Shamma M. Oxyhydrastinine, an isoquinolone alkaloid from the papaveraceae. Phytochemistry. 1983; 22(1):319-320. 10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80125-9.
37. Yang D, Wang T, Long M, Li P. Quercetin: Its Main Pharmacological Activity and Potential Application in Clinical Medicine. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020; 2020:8825387. doi: 10.1155/2020/8825387.
38. Elizondo-Luevano JH, Quintanilla-Licea R, Monroy-García IN, Kačániová M, Castillo-Velázquez U, Bazaldúa-Rodríguez AF, Garza-Vega LM, Torres-Hernández ÁD, Chávez-Montes A. Assessment of Anticancer Properties of Argemone mexicana L. and Berberine: A Comparative Study. Plants. 2024; 13(10):1374. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101374.
39. Gali K, Ramakrishnan G, Kothai R, Jaykar, B. In-vitro anticancer activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Argemone mexicana Linn. Int. J. Pharm. Tech. Res. 2011; 3(3):1329-1333.
40. More N, Kharat K, & Kharat A. Berberine from Argemone mexicana L exhibits a broadspectrum antibacterial activity. Acta Biochimica Polonica. 2017; 64(4):653–660. doi: 10.18388/abp.2017_1621.
41. SIMOES A, Claudia. Investigation of antiplasmodial compounds from various plant extracts: Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae), Licania octandra (Hoffmanns. ex. Roem & Schult) Kuntze (Chrysobalanaceae) and Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae). Doctoral Thesis. 2009. doi: 10.13097/archive-ouverte/unige:8400.
42. Singh S, Singh A, Jaiswal J, Singh TD, Singh VP, Pandey VB, Singh U P. Antifungal activity of the mixture of quaternary alkaloids isolated from Argemone mexicana against some phytopathogenic fungi. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection.2010; 43(8):769–774. https://doi.org/10.1080/03235400802176159.
43. Mengie AT, Chekol AE, Tilahun MZ, Mekonnen AM, Shumet YY, Tesfaw AG, Dagnaw BN, Bogale KA, Adela AM, Gobezie YT, Ayalew TG, Berihun DS. Evaluation of In Vivo Wound-Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Solvent Fractions of Fruits of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae). Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022; 2022:6154560. doi: 10.1155/2022/6154560.
44. Singh R, Chaubey N, Mishra RK. Evaluation of Anti-Asthmatic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Argemone mexicana Stems. Saudi Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Original Research Article. 2021; 7(1): 39-44. doi: 10.36348/sjmps. 2021.v07i01.007.
45. Sabde S, Bodiwala HS, Karmase A, Deshpande PJ, Kaur A, Ahmed N, Chauthe SK, Brahmbhatt KG, Phadke RU, Mitra D, Bhutani KK, Singh IP. Anti-HIV activity of Indian medicinal plants. J Nat Med. 2011; 65(3-4):662-9. doi: 10.1007/s11418-011-0513-2.
46. Gupta RS, Dixit VP and Dobhal MP. Antifertility studies of isoquioline alkaloids with special emphasis on structure activity relationship. J. Fitoterapia. 1990; 61: 67-71.
47. Ali SA, Sharief NH, Mohamed YS. Hepatoprotective Activity of Some Medicinal Plants in Sudan. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019; 2019:2196315. doi: 10.1155/2019/2196315.
48. Saravanan R, Senthilkumar K., Dhachinamoorthi D., Uma MP, Vamsi Krishna G, Venkata Pavani K. Evaluation of Wound Healing and Anti Microbial Activity of the Argemone mexicana Linn (Papavraceae). Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 2017; 10(3): 852-856. doi: 10.5958/0974-360X.2017.00159.7.
49. Chanda P, Gupta N, Kumari A, Bhattacharya S, Chakraborty S, Pal R, Bhattacharjee A. A Review on Pharmacological Potential of Argemone mexicana In Management of Wound Healing & Antidiabetic Activity. 2022; 11. 21-27. 10.35629/6718-11022127.
50. Perumal P, Sekar V, Rajesh V, Gandhimathi S, Sampathkumar R, Shuja Nazimudin K.H. Invitro Antioxidant Activity of Argemone mexicana Roots. International Journal of PharmTech Research. 2010; 2(2): 1477-1482.
51. Magos-Guerrero GA, Santiago-Mejía J, Carrasco OF. Exploratory studies of some Mexican medicinal plants: Cardiovascular effects in rats with and without hypertension. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology. 2017 Jul 12;6(3):274-279. doi: 10.5455/jice.20170706061922.
52. Sonia Piacente, Anna Capasso, Nunziatina De Tommasi, Cumanda Jativa, Cosimo Pizza, Ludovico Sorrentino. Different Effects of Some Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Argemone mexicana on Electrically Induced Contractions of Isolated Guinea-pig Ileum. Phytotherapy research. 1997; 11(2): 155–157. 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199703)11:2<155: AID-PTR48>3.0.CO;2-9.
53. Shahid Shaukat S, Siddiqui IA, Khan GH. et al. Nematicidal and allelopathic potential of Argemone mexicana, a tropical weed. Plant and Soil. 2002; 245:239–247. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020476024966.
54. Carlos A Granados-Echegoyen, Manuel Jesús Chan-Bacab, Benjamín Otto Ortega-Morales, Alfonso Vásquez-López, Luicita Lagunez-Rivera, Fidel Diego-Nava, Christine Gaylarde, Argemone mexicana (Papaverales: Papavaraceae) as an Alternative for Mosquito Control: First Report of Larvicidal Activity of Flower Extract. Journal of Medical Entomology. 2019; 56(1):261–267, https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy159.
55. Afroz A and Adnan A K. Argemone mexicana L. A weed with versatile medicinal and pharmacological applications. Annals of Phytomedicine: An International Journal. 2020; 9(1): 218-223. doi.org/10.21276/ap.2020.9.1.29.
56. Kulshrestha S and Goel A. A panoramic view on Argemone mexicana: its Medicinal importance and phytochemical potentials. Plant Archives. 2021; 21(1): 40-49. doi.org/10.51470/PLANTARCHIVES.2021.v21.no1.006.
57. Elizondo-Luevano JH, Verde-Star J, González-Horta A, Castro-Ríos R, Hernández-García ME, Chávez-Montes A. In Vitro Effect of Methanolic Extract of Argemone mexicana against Trichomonas vaginalis. Korean J Parasitol. 2020; 58(2):135-145. doi: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.2.135.
58. Ojija F. Argemone mexicana’s leaf crude extract suppresses Phaseolus vulgaris and Zea mays germination and growth. Tropical Agroecosystems (TAEC). 2023;4(2):53-59. doi.org/10.26480/taec.02.2023.53.59.
59. Fawehinmi AB, Hassan L, Chimezie EU, Ola-Adedoyin AT. Quantitative and Qualitative Phytochemical Screening and Anti-Microbial Activities of Argemone mexicana Linn. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. 2022; 34(54B):33-45. doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2022/v34i54B7241.
60. Nayeli MB, Mayra ZG, Alejandro Z, Enrique JF, Margarita AF, Macrina FM, Maribel HR. Effect of Argemone mexicana on Local Edema and LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation. Chemistry and Biodiversity. 2021; 18(3): e2000790. doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202000790.
61. Pandeya KB, Ganeshpurkar A, Mishra MK. Natural RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors: Molecular docking studies of some biologically active alkaloids of Argemone mexicana. Medical Hypotheses. 2020; 144:109905. doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109905.
62. Haruna Y. Characterization of Antioxidant Activity Present in Methanol Extract Argemone mexicana Leaf. EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. 2019; 3:796-803.
63. Elizondo-Luévano JH, Castro-Ríos R, Sánchez-García E, Hernández-García ME, Vargas-Villarreal J, Rodríguez-Luis OE, Chávez-Montes A. In Vitro Study of Antiamoebic Activity of Methanol Extracts of Argemone mexicana on Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica HM1‐IMSS. Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology. 2018; 2018(1):7453787. doi.org/10.1155/2018/7453787
64. Gabriela Jasso Díaz, Glafiro Torres Hernández, Alejandro Zamilpa, Carlos Miguel Becerril Pérez, J. Efrén Ramírez Bribiesca, Omar Hernández Mendo, Hussein Sánchez Arroyo, Manasés González Cortazar, Pedro Mendoza de Gives. In vitro assessment of Argemone mexicana, Taraxacum officinale, Ruta chalepensis and Tagetes filifolia against Haemonchus contortus nematode eggs and infective (L3) larvae. Microbial Pathogenesis. 2017; 109: 162-168. doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109905.
65. Arcos-Martínez AI, Muñoz-Muñiz OD, Domínguez-Ortiz MÁ, Saavedra-Vélez MV, Vázquez-Hernández M, Alcántara-López MG. Anxiolytic-like effect of ethanolic extract of Argemone mexicana and its alkaloids in Wistar rats. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2016; 6(4):476-88.
66. Bapna S, Choudhary PK, Ramaiya M, Chowdhary A. Antiplasmodial activity of Argemone mexicana: an in vivo and in vitro study. World J Pharm Res. 2015; 4:1653-63.
67. Namkeleja HS, Tarimo MT, Ndakidemi PA. Allelopathic effects of Argemone mexicana to growth of native plant species. American journal of plant sciences. 2014; 5(9): 1336-1344. DOI:10.4236/ajps.2014.59147.
68. Warikoo R, Kumar S. Impact of Argemone mexicana extracts on the cidal, morphological, and behavioral response of dengue vector, Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitol Res. 2013; 112:3477–3484. doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3528-7.
69. Sourabie TS, Ouedraogo N, Sawadogo WR, Yougbare N, Nikiema JB, Guissou IP, Nacoulma OG. Evaluation of the anti-icterus effect of crude powdered leaf of Argemone mexicana L.(Papaveraceae) against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats. International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR). 2012; 3(10):491-496.
70. Anarthe S, Chaudhari S. Neuropharmacological study of Argemone mexicana Linn. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 2011; 1(4):121-6.
71. Osho A, Adetunji T. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Argemone mexicana Linn. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2010; 4(1):19-22. doi: 10.5897/JMPR09.204.
72. Bhalke RD, Gosavi SA. Anti-stress and antiallergic effect of Argemone mexicana stems in asthma. Arch Pharm Sci Res. 2009; 1(1):127-9.