Xanthium strumarium L. (Family: Compositae / Astereceae) 

Indian Names

Oriya - Kanthu, Latkana, Bana Gokhara.

Hindi - Sankhahuli, Chota - gokhru

Bengali - Bon - okra

Sanskrti - Shankine

A medicinal plant commonly found as a weed, is widely distributed inhotter parts of India, North America, Brazil, China, Malaysia . The herb is traditionally used mostly in treating several ailments. Extracts of the whole plant, especially leaves, roots, fruits and seeds have been applied in traditional medicine for the treatment of leucoderma, poisonous bites of insects, epilepsy, salivation, long-standing cases of malaria, rheumatism, tuberculosis, allergic rhinitis, sinitis, urticaria, rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, diarrhoea, leprosy, lumbago, pruritis, bacterial and fungal infections. This comprehensive account provides a botanical description of the plant, its phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities are reviewed, focussing on antibacterial, antitumour, antitussive, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, hypoglycaemic, antimitotic, antioxidant, antitrypanosomal, CNS depressant activity, diuretic effects, contact dermatitis, insecticidal and herbicidal activities. Most of the pharmacological effects can be explained by the constituents like sesquiterpene lactones, glycoside, phenols, polysterols present in all plant parts. However, future efforts should concentrate more on in vitro and in vivo studies and also on clinical trials in order to confirm traditional wisdom in the light of a rational phytotherapy. Because of its multi-activity, in particular, anti-tumour, anti-cancer activity, so much attention is focussed on the herb. Finally, research needs quantitation of individual constituents and assessment of their pharmacological activities in humans.

WHAT LATEST PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES SAY?

Pharmacological studies have generally confirmed the traditional use of extract of whole plant, root, leaves and fruits as an ailment for leucoderma, poisonous bites of insects, epilepsy, salivation, long-standing cases of malaria, rheumatism, tuberculosis, allergic rhinitis, sinitis, urticaria, rheumatoid arthritis, constipation, diarrhoea, leprosy, lumbago, pruritis, and inflections due to bacteria and fungus. Most of the biological effects can be explained by the high amount of xanthatin, xanthanolide sesquiterpene lactones (antibacterial, anticanacer, antitumour), desacetyl xanthumin (antifungal), xanthanol, xanthumin (CNS depressant), thiazinedione, desacetyl xanthumin (antifungal), carboxyatractyloside, caffeic acid derivative (hypoglycaemic) and its quinic acid derivatives (hypoglycaemic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic) and terpenes (antioxidant) present in all plant parts.

The pharmacological studies so far have mostly been performed in vitro and in vivo with animals. Therefore, clinical studies are urgently needed in order to confirm traditional wisdom in the light of a rational phytotherapy. Even today, plants are the almost exclusive source of drugs for a majority of the world's population. Therefore, it remains a challenge for scientists to provide efficient, safe and cheap medications, especially for rural areas. The plant is widely distributed in North America, Brazil, china, Malaysia and hotter parts of India. Their quantification of individual phytoconstituents as well as pharmacological profile based on in vitro, in vivo studies and on clinical trials should be further investigated.

In Orissa I have not yet seen any healer to use this valuable plant in their practice. 

I know some local oil expellers to be expelling oil from its seeds solely for the shake of adulteration of edible oil. I don't have any idea if its oil comes under edible or non -edible category.