Tanacetum activity

Pyrethrum refers to the oleoresin extracted from the dried flowers of Tanacetum cinerariaefolium (Asteraceae) and is the source of the pyrethrins, chrysanthemates and pyrethrates. Among the natural pyrethrins, those incorporating the alcohol pyrethrolone, namely pyrethrins 1 and II (Fig. 9), are the most abundant and account for most of the insecticidal activity. The pyrethrins are recommended for control of a wide range of insects and mites on fruit, vegetables, field crops, ornamentals, glasshouse crops and house plants, as well as in public health, stored products, animal houses and on domestic and farm animals. Pyrethrins are sold in a wide variety of formulations, under many different trade names by a large number of different manufacturers. 

Williams, C.A. et al., A biologically active lipophilic flavonol from Tanacetum parthenium. Phytochemistry, 38, 267, 1995. 

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is commonly used for the treatment of migraine headaches, arthritis, and various type of allergies. This herb is thought to exert its pharmacological activity by... 

Chemical characterization and biological activities of the genus Tanacetum (Compositae)... 

ABSTRACT The genus Tanacetum has been used as medicinal plants for over 2000 years. Interest in the genus has been stimulated by its biological activities, particularly as insect antifeedants, antitumor and antimicrobial activities due to its sesquiterpenoid constituents. The genus Tanacetum is represented by c.a.70 species in the world and by 44 in Turkey. It is an Asia centered genus which is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere and temperate regions. 

Tanacetum species contain mainly sesquiterpenoids and flavonoids, whereas the other terpenoids and phenolic compounds are rarely found. Sesquiterpenoids which are the main constituents of the genus, supposed to be bioactive principles of the plants. Flavonoids and essential oils are also pointed out as active substances in some species. On the other hand, there is a confusion on the systematic position and classification of several species of Asteraceae, therefore chemotaxonomy of the species will help the systematic studies. 

The main goal of this chapter is to present the chemical constituents and the biological activities of Tanacetum species. 

Antiinflammatory activity of Tanacetum species is caused by various kind of compoimds, such as sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids and essential oils. 

In a human polymorphonuclear leucocj e-based bioassay, it was determined that acetone extracts of the leaves of four Tanacetum species T. parthenium, T vulgare, T. ptarmiciflorum and T. niveum) inhibit phorbol myristate acetate-induced chemiluminescence of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes [186,187]. Brown et al. investigated the antiinflammatory activity of T. parthenium and a constituent of Ais plant, parthenolide. They suggested that parthenolide is not the only active constituent [187]. Hoult et al have announced that a flavonoid, tanetin is one of the active compounds presented in T. parthenium [156]. 

Antiinflammatory activity of the flavonoids [131,132,141,147,148,156,157] and essential oils [83,150,152,158] isolated from Tanacetum species were also reported. 

Table 10. Biological Activities and Active Principles in Tanacetum Species...

Stimulation of macrophages by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) results in activation of members of MAPKs, ERKl and ERK2. The main sesquiterpene lactone from Tanacetum parthenium (Asteraceae), parthenolide (28), suppressed LPS-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of various proteins in RAW 264.7 cells. Of these proteins the MAPKs exhibited the most dramatic inhibition in response to parthenolide. 

The pyrethrum daisies Chrysanthemum (=Tanacetum) cinerariifolium and C. cocci neum contain several compounds that kill insect pests on contact. You can purchase this insecticide in several forms The dried flqwer heads are called pyrethtum, while the extmeted active ingredients are called pyrethrin. (Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of the insecticide that are even more toxic to insects.)... 

Holetz et al. [38] reported the antimicrobial screening of some plants used in the Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. Two members of the Anthemideae tribe, Tanacetum vulgare L. and Arctium lappa L. presented some degree of antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. 

Other genera from the Anthemideae tribe such as Inula, Tanacetum and Xanthium also yielded sesquiterpene lactones with a broad spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal activity. Isoalantolactone, a major constituent of Inula racemosa Flook. f, was tested for its... 

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