Abstract

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON THE ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF ARGEMONE MEXICANA AGAINST MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE

Nisha N. Karandikar*, Anamika B. Dongale, Maithili M. Chalke, Milind D.

Abstract

Leprosy remains a persistent public health concern, highlighting the need for new bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. Argemone mexicana L., traditionally used to treat various skin disorders, has attracted interest for its possible antileprotic activity. The plant contains alkaloids such as berberine, sanguinarine, and chelerythrine, which exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties relevant to leprosy. Although ethnobotanical evidence supports its historical use in chronic skin conditions, scientific data directly addressing its effects on Mycobacterium leprae are still limited. This review summarizes current knowledge on the botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of A. mexicana, emphasizing its potential relevance in leprosy management and the need for further mechanistic, toxicological, and targeted antimycobacterial studies. Overall, the plant shows promising but understudied potential as a future candidate for antileprotic drug development.

Keywords: Argemone Mexicana, Antileprotic activity, Phytochemistry, Ethnomedicine, Antimycobacterial, Leprosy (Hansen’s disease).