Review of Pharmacological Effects of Xanthium strumarium and Its Bioactive Compounds

Objectives: Xanthium strumarium has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis(AR). This study aims to comprehensively review the pharmacological effects of Xanthium strumarium and its bioactive compounds, as well as to assess its toxicity and environmental impact.Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed for articles published between 2015 and 2024. The following keywords were used: “Xanthium strumarium”, “Xanthium sibiricum”, “Xanthii Fructus”, “Xanthium Fruit”, and “cocklebur”. Out of 293 articles retrieved, 95 were selected and analyzed according to the study objectives.Results and Conclusions: This review summarizes recent research on Xanthium strumarium, focusing on its principal bioactive constituents, pharmacological activities, experimental studies, side effects, toxicity, processing methods, and environmental effects. The bioactive compounds in Xanthium strumarium exhibit diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-allergic rhinitis, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, insecticidal, antiparasitic, anti-diabetic, and antiviral effects. Furthermore, the review discusses optimal processing techniques and dosages to minimize toxicity. Collectively, this study provides a comprehensive overview and suggests future directions for research on Xanthium strumarium as a traditional medicinal resource.