Benefits and detriments of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata): A review

Abstract

Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) (L.) R.M. King & H. Robinson) belonging to the family Asteraceae, originating from South and Central America, is a bushy shrub invasive in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This article reviewed the issues of medicinal, nutritional and usefulness of C. odorata, in agriculture settings as well as weedy nature of the plant as documented by some researchers. The screening of crude, aqueous, and ethanolic leaf extracts of Chromolaena odorata, for its phyto-constituents and investigation of antioxidant, antibacterial, molluscicidal activity, larvicidal activity and wound healing properties were reviewed as documented by some researchers. The literature review revealed that C. odorata, secondary metabolites include alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, steroids and tannins. The reports of the scientific investigations revealed that C. odorata have antioxidant, antibacterial and wound healing properties. It was equally documented for its molluscicidal, larvicidal and immunomodulating activity. The presence of the active secondary metabolites in C. odorata suggested its basis for its effectiveness as ethno pharmacological hence justifies its therapeutic traditional usage. The review revealed that C. odorata is a source of high quality protein which could serve as potential source of protein supplement and this could explain its folkloric use in animal nutrition. The review revealed that C. odorata is highly adaptive and a potential threat to native plant biodiversity and agro-ecosystem sustainability however the species is reported to be beneficiary as fallow plant considering the expected properties of species for fallow improvement. It is finally concluded that C. odorata be investigated more in order to harness its benefits in term of medicinal properties, livestock nutrition and agricultural uses.

Keywords: Chromolaena odorata, phyto-constituents, medicinal properties, agricultural benefits.