A Concise Review on Biological Activity of Tridax procumbens Linn

Tridax procumbens Linn belongs to the family asteraceae. The extracts of Tridax procumbens have been used as indigenous medicine for a variety of ailments. It has been extensively used in Indian traditional medicine for wound healing, as anticoagulant, antifungal and insect repellent, in diarrhea and dysentery. Leaf extracts are used to treat infectious skin diseases in folk medicines. It is also dispensed as ‘Bhringraj’ which is well known ayurvedicmedicine for liver disorders. 

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immune modulatory properties have also been demonstrated. Plants have strong ability to synthesize aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen substituted derivatives which are mostly secondary metabolites. At least 12,000 have been isolated, a number estimated to be less than 10% of the total. These substances serve as plant defense mechanisms against predation by microbes, insects, herbivores. Some terpenoids are plant pigment, some are plant flavoring agents and some are having medicinal properties.(Read more)

A Concise Review on Biological Activity of Tridax procumbens Linn

Tridax procumbens is a species of flowering plant belonging to family asteraceae and is the most potent species among 30 species. It is best known as widespread weed and pest plant. It is native to the tropical Americas but it has been introduced to tropical, subtropical and mild temperate regions worldwide. It is listed as a noxious weed in the United States and has a pest status. Some of the medicinally important species of the genus Tridax are: T. angustifolia, T. serboana, T. bicolor, T. accedens, T. dubia, T. erecta and T. rosea.

The plant bears white or yellow flowers with three toothed ray florets. The leaves are toothed and generally anchor shaped. Its fruit is hard achene covered with stiff hairs and having a feathery, plume like white pappus at one end. Calyx is represented by scales or reduced to pappus.