Xanthium strumarium L. a medicinal plant commonly found as a weed, is widely distributed in North America, Brazil, China, Malaysia and hotter parts of India. The genus Xanthium includes 25 species; two species of Xanthium, X. indicum and X. strumarium have been reported in India. The herb is traditionally used mostly in treating several ailments. Various parts of Xanthium strumarium L. are found to possess useful medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antitumour, anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antititussive, hypoglycaemic, antimitotic, antitrypanosomal, antimalarial, diuretic, antioxidant, analgesic, repellent and insecticidal activities. This article provides a botanical description of the plant, its phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities are reviewed. Most of the pharmacological effects can be explained by the constituents like sesquiterpene lactones, glycoside, phenols, polysterols present in all plant parts. Because of its multi-activity, so much attention is focused on the herb.
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