AN APPROACH TO THE GENUS TANACETUM L (COMPOSITAE) - PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

In view of the importance in folk medicine of some species of Tanacetum L. (Compositae), e.g. T. partheniun, this paper reviews reports of the past two decades on their phytochemistry and pharmacological actions. The facets of phytochemical composition to be reviewed concern mainly the compounds with a chemosystematic interest in the tribe: terpenoids, especially sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoid. The pharmacological activities which make it possible to corroborate their use as a herbal remedy have also been reviewed.