Tanacetum biological activities

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

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. 

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

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

CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GENUS TANACETUM (COMPOSITAE)... 

Generally, sesquiterpenes are less volatile than monoterpenes. Among the sesquiterpenes, the sesquiterpene lactones are widely distributed in terrestrial and marine organisms and are well known for their wide variety of biological activities. The anti-inflammatory activities of some medicinal plants are due to presence of one or more sesquiterpene lactones [89]. Parthenolide is responsible for the majority of the medicinal characteristics of this traditional herbal remedy. This sesquiterpene lactone can be found in several species, including Chrysanthemum parthenium, Leucanthemum parthenium, Pyrethrum parthenium, and Tanacetum parthenium [90]. 

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