Review on Tridax Procumbens

Tridax procumbens Linn., a weed native to tropical America and naturalized in various regions including India, Africa, Asia, and Australia, possesses numerous pharmacological activities. Its various parts, including leaves, stems, and roots, have shown beneficial effects such as hepatoprotective (liver-protecting), immunomodulating (modulating the immune system), wound healing, antidiabetic, hypotensive (lowering blood pressure), antimicrobial, insect repellent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hair growth promotion properties. The plant has also been used as a bioadsorbent for removing chromium (VI) from industrial wastewater.The plant is referred to as “Bhringraj” in Ayurveda and has been incorporated into traditional medicines. However, scientific research linking the plant’s phytochemical constituents with their pharmacological properties is limited. Many studies have focused on using plant extracts and qualitatively analyzing their phytochemical composition. To advance the understanding and potential therapeutic applications of Tridax procumbens, researchers are encouraged to employ modern drug discovery approaches, such as bio-assay guided phytochemical identification, phenotypic screening using relevant cell culture models, and establishing pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic correlations.Efforts should be made to identify active metabolites responsible for the plant’s efficacy in vivo, allowing for the standardized preparation of extracts. Additionally, researchers can explore various enzyme targets for different diseases and test partially purified bioactives as inhibitors or activators. Molecular modeling, medicinal chemistry, and bioinformatics approaches can aid in identifying new bioactives that could serve as drug leads. By leveraging modern technologies, researchers can further evaluate the pharmacological properties of Tridax procumbens.Overall, Tridax procumbens possesses significant potential in terms of botanical, phytochemical, nutritional, and pharmacological properties. Extensive utilization of this plant in ancient systems of medicine for various biological disorders, including notable psychopharmacological activities, indicates the need for further research to elucidate its mechanism of action. As a source of herbal drugs, Tridax procumbens holds promise for the pharmaceutical industry, and its diverse phytochemical profile offers potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents.