How does Argemone mexicana work medicinally?

Argemone mexicana contains bioactive alkaloids including berberine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and allocryptopine. These compounds exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties through inhibition of inflammatory mediators and modulation of smooth muscle activity. Berberine and sanguinarine demonstrate broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various bacteria and fungi. The plant's analgesic effects are attributed to alkaloid interactions with pain signaling pathways. Evidence level: C (preclinical research).

Does Argemone mexicana interact with any medications?

Limited formal drug interaction studies exist for Argemone mexicana. However, its berberine content suggests potential interactions with cytochrome P450 enzymes, which may affect metabolism of pharmaceutical drugs including cyclosporine and certain antibiotics. The herb may enhance effects of sedatives and antihypertensive medications. Due to insufficient clinical data, individuals taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: C (theoretical based on constituent properties).

What is the recommended dosage of Argemone mexicana?

Traditional adult dosage of Argemone mexicana is 1-2 grams of dried herb daily, typically prepared as a decoction. For topical applications, infused oil preparations are applied externally to affected skin areas. Internal use requires caution due to potential toxicity. Standardized extracts lack established dosing guidelines. Always source from reputable suppliers to avoid adulterated products. Consult a qualified herbalist for individualized recommendations. Evidence level: C (traditional use with limited clinical validation).

Is Argemone mexicana safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Argemone mexicana is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The plant contains toxic alkaloids, including sanguinarine, which may cause uterine stimulation and pose risks to fetal development. The seeds are particularly dangerous, containing argemone oil linked to epidemic dropsy. Nursing mothers should avoid this herb as alkaloids may pass into breast milk. Women of childbearing age should use reliable contraception when using this herb. Evidence level: C (preclinical safety data).

What are the side effects of Argemone mexicana?

Argemone mexicana can cause significant adverse effects, particularly when seeds or argemone-adulterated oils are consumed. Epidemic dropsy, characterized by edema, cardiac distress, and potential fatality, has been reported from contaminated cooking oils. Other side effects include gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and vomiting. High internal doses may cause neurological and cardiac toxicity. Topical preparations may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Evidence level: C-D (case reports and traditional knowledge).

Argemone mexicana (Argemone mexicana)

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Argemone mexicana, also known as the Mexican prickly poppy, is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including liver disorders and inflammatory conditions [PMID:39225208, PMID:33527713].

Contexte

Argemone mexicana (Mexican prickly poppy) is a weed native to Mexico and found in tropical and subtropical regions of South and Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and India [PMID:39778782, PMID:39225208].

Usages traditionnels

Historically employed in traditional medicine for liver disorders [PMID:39225208], vesicular calculus, inflammatory conditions, and hepatobiliary disorders in India [PMID:39778782], as well as for skin diseases [PMID:34664164] and as an antimalarial in Mali [PMID:35797701]. In the Eastern Indian region, it has been used as a folk remedy for various diseases, including as a pain reliever [PMID:40192041].

Composés actifs

The plant contains alkaloids including berberine, sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and jatrorrhizine [PMID:38985287, PMID:32418382, PMID:42308103]. Other identified phytochemicals include flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, sterols, triterpenes, quinones, and acidic polysaccharides [PMID:40192041, PMID:37298904, PMID:32418382, PMID:35797701].

Mécanisme d'action

The plant's flavonoids and phenolic compounds are associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities [PMID:40192041]. In cancer models, leaf extracts have been shown to affect TNF-α secretion and the NF-κB (p65 subunit) signaling pathway [PMID:38067358, PMID:39687882]. Berberine exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro [PMID:27671811].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DUrolithiasis

Methanol leaf extracts showed significant inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal nucleation (72.26%) and aggregation in vitro [PMID:27748175]

Preuve DSkin Cancer

Ethanolic leaf extract (500 mg/kg BW) resisted and delayed tumor formation in mice for up to 8 weeks compared to 4 weeks in the negative group [PMID:38067358]

Preuve DHepatotoxicity

Methanol extract of A. mexicana root demonstrated hepatoprotective efficacy in paracetamol-induced toxicity rat models [PMID:39778782]

Preuve DTrichomonas vaginalis

Methanolic extracts of stems and leaves inhibited the growth of T. vaginalis in vitro (IC50: 70.6 and 67.2 μg/ml) [PMID:32418382]

Preuve DSchistosomiasis

Methanolic extract (50 μg/mL) and berberine (10 μM) were lethal to S. mansoni adults in vitro [PMID:33786051]

Preuve DStrongyloidiasis

Berberine was the most effective component against Strongyloides venezuelensis larvae in vitro (LC50: 1.6 μg/mL) [PMID:33197440]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Argemone oil is a common adulterant of mustard oil and causes epidemic dropsy, characterized by capillary dilatation, increased permeability, and edema [PMID:10621875, PMID:26757781]. Symptoms include gastroenteric issues, cutaneous erythema, respiratory distress, right-sided congestive cardiac failure, retinal hemorrhages, and glaucoma [PMID:10621875]. Sanguinarine is postulated as a causative agent of this toxicity [PMID:29603306]. Argemone oil has also been shown to induce genotoxicity in the bone marrow cells of mice [PMID:26757781].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models, and reviews (Level C and D). There is a lack of high-level clinical trial data (Level A or B) for human therapeutic use, while significant toxicological data exists regarding argemone oil adulteration.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 27671811 (2016) — Berberine and Its Role in Chronic Disease. · Advances in experimental medicine and biology
2.PMID: 39225208 (2025) — An In-depth Review on Argemone mexicana in the Management of Liver Health and Liver Cancer. · Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
3.PMID: 38188144 (2024) — Impact of Argemone mexicana L. on tomato plants infected with Phytophthora infestans. · PeerJ
4.PMID: 38985287 (2024) — Isolation of Protoplasts from Tissues of Mexican Prickly Poppy (Argemone mexicana L.): An Alkaloid-Producing Medicinal Plant. · Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
5.PMID: 40192041 (2026) — Phytochemical and Phytopharmacological Insights into Argemone mexicana: Integrative Approaches in Eastern Indian Region as Folk Medicine.

Argemone mexicana

Sources et citations

Kunzea Ambigua

Ricinus communis

Trichilia Havanensis

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales

Argemone mexicana

Sources et citations

Plantes associées

Kunzea Ambigua

Ricinus communis

Trichilia Havanensis

Résumé

Contexte

Usages traditionnels

Composés actifs

Mécanisme d'action

Preuves cliniques

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Synthèse des preuves

Sources PubMed

Sources gouvernementales