Marigold a potential ornamental plant drug

ABSTRACT

Marigold botanically identifies as Tagetes [Compositae] genus is an ethnobotanically known drug, used from ancient times in the Indian system of Medicine for the treatment of rheumatism, cold, bronchitis, eye diseases, ulcers etc. Tagetes species, commonly known as marigold, are grown as ornamental plants and thrive in varied agro-climates. The genus has been recognized as a potential source of very interesting biologically active products i.e. carotenoids that are used as food colorants, feed additives and possess anticancer and antiageing effects, essential oil known for antimicrobial and insecticidal properties, thiophenes with a marked biocidal activity and flavonoids having pharmacological properties. The Tagetes oil has been mainly used for the compounding of high-grade perfumes and also acts as antihaemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diaphoretic and emmenagogue. This genus has been investigated for various biological activities like antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, antioxidant, insecticidal etc. The present review summarizes the biological activities and phytoconstituents of this genus