PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Tagetes erecta, commonly known as African or Aztec marigold, is an ornamental and medicinal plant indigenous to Mexico and Guatemala [PMID:33366097]. It is a primary source of carotenoids, particularly lutein, used in the food and pharmaceutical industries [PMID:37714249].
Background
Tagetes erecta is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family [PMID:33366097, PMID:37928490]. It is widely cultivated across America, Africa, Asia, and Europe for landscaping and medicinal purposes [PMID:37714249, PMID:30388858].
Traditional uses
In folk medicine, it is used to treat inflammatory processes [PMID:38996948] and various health problems including dental, stomach, intestinal, emotional, and nervous disorders, as well as muscular pain [PMID:30388858]. It has also been traditionally used for cardiovascular and renal diseases [PMID:39675109, PMID:36181985].
Active compounds
The plant is a fundamental source of carotenoids, especially lutein [PMID:37714249]. Other identified compounds include megastigmane-type norsesquiterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids [PMID:37714249, PMID:35792278], and polyphenols [PMID:39675109]. Volatile compounds such as thymol, thymol anisole, and camphor have also been identified [PMID:35179311].
Mechanism of action
The plant's hydroalcoholic extract modulates inflammation by regulating neutrophil and macrophage functions [PMID:38996948]. Polyphenol-rich extracts stimulate osteogenesis via the activation of $\beta$-catenin [PMID:39675109] and restore osteogenic capacity under microplastic-induced stress by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) to promote antioxidant defense pathways [PMID:42341604].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DInflammation and Pain
Flower extracts demonstrated pronounced antioxidant potential and a dose-dependent analgesic effect in acetic-acid-induced abdominal writhing models [PMID:18814202].
Evidence DOsteoporosis/Bone Health
Polyphenol-enriched extracts from flowers stimulate osteoblast differentiation and increase expression of markers such as RUNX2, SP7, and ALP in preosteoblast cells [PMID:39675109].
Evidence DInflammation
Hydroalcoholic extract of flowers regulates neutrophil and macrophage functions to modulate inflammatory processes [PMID:38996948].
Safety & adverse effects
Safety assessments of marigold flavonoids in rats and mice (including acute oral toxicity at 5000 mg/kg, Ames test, sperm aberration, and bone marrow micronucleus tests) were conducted to provide nonclinical safety data [PMID:35792278]. Lutein from T. erecta has been evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for use as a food additive [PMID:16167501, PMID:29144073].
Evidence summary
The current evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models, and phytochemical analyses (Level D). There is a lack of human clinical trial data in the provided abstracts.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 33366097 (2019) — The complete chloroplast genome of Mexican marigold (Tagetes erecta L., Asteraceae). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
- 2.PMID: 37714249 (2023) — Carotenoid-derived norsesquiterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids from Tagetes erecta L. · Phytochemistry
- 3.PMID: 39675109 (2025) — Polyphenol extract from Tagetes erecta L. flowers stimulates osteogenesis via β-catenin activation. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- 4.PMID: 35792278 (2022) — Safety assessment of marigold flavonoids from marigold inflorescence residue. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
- 5.PMID: 35179311 (2022) — A push-pull strategy for controlling the tea green leafhopper (Empoasca flavescens F.) using semiochemicals from Tagetes erecta and Flemingia macrophylla.