Argemone mexicana (Papaveraceae) and Berberine - Hidden Treasures of Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Argemone mexicana L., known as "Mexican poppy", is an herbaceous plant that has captivated civilizations throughout the centuries for its multiple medicinal properties (R. J. Pawar, S. A. Govilkar, 2020). Originally from America, this plant is used in Mexican herbal medicine due to its ethnopharmacological effects. However, its use requires caution due to the presence of alkaloids, such as berberine. These phytochemical compounds have been studied for their potential health benefits. For example, berberine has shown antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Although A. mexicana and berberine promise to be a valuable source of herbal medicine, their use should be cautious. However, this natural treasure deserves to be explored and studied in depth to unravel all its benefits and potential applications in human health.