Argemone mexicana (Zèb-dragon) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Argemone mexicana (Zèb-dragon, Dragon Grass, Herbe dragon) — family Papavéracées.

Scientific synonyms : Argemone alba-Raf, A spinosa-Moench, A vulgaris-Spach, Papaver mexicana-(L)-EH Krause.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL and French Pharmacopoeia.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 20 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The Lapo v2 catalogue records 163 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Type II diabetes mellitus

   Plant part used: Aerial Section.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Nayak P (2011)

     Excerpt The present study was designed to investigate the possible actions of ethanolic & aqueous extract of aerial parts of A mexicana, on glucose homeostasis in acute normoglycemic & alloxan induced hyperglycemic rats, including oral glucose tolerance & up to 11-days of study in hyperglycaemic rats. It is concluded that, the extracts of the aerial parts of A mexicana, endowed with potent antidiabetic activity, which might be contributed by pancreatic & or extra pancreatic action of the test extracts.

   • According to Rout SP (2011)

     Excerpt Rout SP et al, Hypoglycaemic activity of aerial parts of Argemone mexicana L.

2. 2

   Bacterial infection: Pseudomonas putida, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pectobacterium corotavarum

   Plant part used: Aerial Section.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Saravanan R (2017)

     Excerpt The present study was under taken to verify the effect of Argemone Mexicana roots & its stem on experimentally induced excision wound in the rats & antimicrobial activity against highly pathogenic organisms like Pseudomonas putida, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholera, Staphylococcus aureus, Pectobacterium coronaturum. The present study is to monitor the anti microbial activity & wound healing activity of ethanolic extracts of stem, root & other parts of the plant A mexicana belongs to the family Papaveraceae.

   • According to Singh S (2009)

     Excerpt Antibacterial activity of seed extracts of Argemone mexicana (Papaveraceae) was evaluated against some pathogenic bacterial strains. MIC values were 2.0 & 3.0 mg/ml, respectively, for Staphylococcus aureus & Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their respective drug-resistant strains.

   • According to Singh SK (n.d.)

     Excerpt Singh SK et al, Antibacterial activity of seed extracts of Argemone mexicana L.

   • According to Sahu MC (2012)

     Excerpt Sahu MC et al, Antibacterial activity of Argemone mexicana L. against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, isolated from clinical samples.

   • According to Desai SS (2014)

     Excerpt Antimicrobial activity of plant extract against two bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis & Escherichia coli) was performed by agar well diffusion method. The Argemone mexicana Linn.

3. 3

   Autoimmune diseases: psoriasis, scleroderma, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

   Plant part used: Aerial Section. Mentioned synergistic association: Cuminum cyminum-fruit.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Arora L (n.d.)

     Excerpt The novel herbal composition(s) is useful in the treatment of various disorders, such as psoriasis including plaque psoriasis, gutatte psoriasis, pustular psoriasis & psoriasis of the nails; dermatitis & scleroderma; eczema; inflammatory disorders & other auto-immune diseases like psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus & Sjogren's syndrome; allergies like asthma & chronic obstructive pulmonary disease & is safe, well-tolerated, non-toxic, with minimal & reversible adverse reactions or side effects, & most Importantly, with minimal relapse or récurrence of the disease following complétion of a treatment regimen. Arora L et al, Herbal composition for treating various disorders including psoriasis, a process for preparation thereof & method for treatment of such disorders-BREVET : 20030194456A1 : The invention provides a novel herbal composition containing the extracts of the leaves and/or stem of Argemone mexicana plant, optionally containing the extracts of the fruits of Cuminum cyminum, which exhibits useful in vitro, in vivo & interesting immunological & pharmacological activities ; a process for preparation thereof & a method of treatment of psoriasis & related immunological & biological disorders by administration of the said novel herbal composition.

   • According to Deshmukh V (2017)

     Excerpt The aim of present study was to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Argemone mexicana roots on laboratory animals, Wistar rat (180-220g) of either sex. The anti-inflammatory study was done by carrageenan-induced paw edema method.

   • According to Ayele TM (2022)

     Excerpt The fractions were evaluated at 5 & 10% ointments using moist-exposed burn ointment as the standard drug, & 100, 200, & 400 mg/kg test doses using aspirin, & dexamethasone as standard drugs for wound healing & anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the Ethyl acetate fraction of AM fruit has significant wound healing & anti-inflammatory activities which support the traditional claims of the experimental plant.

   • According to Saraswat I (2025)

     Excerpt Argemone mexicana, commonly known as the Mexican prickly poppy, has been historically employed in traditional medicine for various ailments, including liver disorders. The botanical composition includes compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, suggesting hepatoprotective effects.

   • According to Ansari KM (2005)

     Excerpt Since, sanguinarine alkaloid is the major component of Argemone oil, the in vivo DNA damaging potential of the isolated alkaloid was investigated in blood & bone marrow cells of mice using alkaline Comet assay. Consumption of mustard oil contaminated with argemone oil is well known to cause clinical manifestation referred to as "Epidemic Dropsy".

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.