Parthenium weed: a growing concern in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v15i1.609Keywords:
Parthenium hysterophorus, contact dermatitisAbstract
Background Parthenium hysterophorus is a waste land weed which is hazardous to plants and human beings.
Objectives To find out the magnitude of parthenium spread and the adverse effects on agriculture and human beings.
Patients and methods This multiphase study was designed in collaboration with the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology (MAPP), Punjab University, Lahore. In phase I, the plant itself was studied. In phase II, its effects on other plants were recorded. In phase III, patch test was performed in patients with allergic contact dermatitis visiting the medical camps at Jallo Park, and Johar town, Lahore and Changa Manga forest. Patch test was done using the leaf and flower of prthenium, as is, and 1% parthenin in petrolatum base. International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) guidelines and criteria were used for patch testing and interpreting the results at 48, 72 and 120 hours.
Results In the first phase of the study, the weed was found growing unchecked in the above mentioned areas. In the second phase, it was found to invade crops like rice and maize. In the third phase of the study, 511 patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis were enrolled along with 100 controls. Out of 511, 391 reacted positively. Only 5 from the control group were positive to parthenium.
Conclusion Parthenium hysterophorus has replaced the main native flora in many parts of Pakistan including the big cities like Rawalpindi-Islamabad and Lahore. It has caused a major outbreak of airborne contact dermatitis. The rapid spread is probably due to its use in bouquets.
References
1. Rao RS. Parthenium: A new record for India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 1956; 54: 218-20.
2. Pasricha JS. Contact Dermatitis in India. New Delhi: All India Institute of Medical Sciences; 1988.
3. Ranade SN. Generalized eczematoid dermatitis in epidemic form caused by Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Congress Grass) in Maharashtra State (India) and its treatment. Maharashtra Med J 1971; 17: 495-8.
4. Towers GHN, Mitchell JC, Rodriguez E et al. Biology and chemistry of Parthenium hysterophorus L., a problem weed in India. J Sci Ind Res 1977; 36: 672-84.
5. Towers GHN, Mitchell JC. The current status of the weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis. Contact Dermatitis 1983; 9: 465-9.
6. Arlette J, Mitchell JC. Compositae dermatitis. Current aspects. Contact Dermatitis 1981; 7: 129-36.
7. Subba Rao PV, Mangala A, Subba Rao BS, Prakash KM. Clinical and immunological studies on persons
exposed to Parthenium hysterophorus
L. Experientia 1977; 33: 1387-8.
8. Sharma SC, Kaur S. Airborne contact dermatitis from Compositae plants in northern India. Contact Dermatitis 1989; 21: 1-5.
9. Behl PN, Captain RM. Skin Irritant and Sensitizing Plants Found in India. New Delhi: S. Chand; 1979.
10. Sastry T, Tenjarla CS, Kavathekar KY. Plants for reclamation of waste lands. New Delhi: Publications and Information Directorate, CSIR; 1990.
11. Nabie SC, Mcfadyen RE, Panetta FD, Adkins SW. The Biology of Australian Weeds 27. Parthenium hysterophorus
L. Plant Protection 1996; 11: 76-88.
12. Uphof JC. Dictionary of Economic Plants. London: Englemann Weinheim; 1959.
13. Morton JF. The puzzling white top. Parthenium hysterophorus: noxious weed, health hazard, folk remedy, flea repellent. Unpublished report. Florida: Univ. of Miami; 1981.
14. Singh U, Wadhwani AM, Johri BM. Dictionary of Economic Plants in India. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research; 1996.
15. Sharma GL, Bhutani KK. Plant based antiamoebic drugs. Part-II. Amoebicidal activity of parthenin, isolated from Parthenium hysterophorus. Planta Medica 1988; 54: 20-2.
16. Mew D, Balza F, Towers GHN, Levy IG. Antitumor effects of the sesquiterpene lactone parthenin. Planta Medica 1982; 45: 23-7.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2016 Muhammad Nadeem, Zahida Rani, Shahbaz Aman, Atif Hasnain Kazmi, Asad Shabbir
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Submission declaration
Authors retain the copyright to their work and grant the 'Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatologists (JPAD)' the right of first publication under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. This license allows others to share, adapt, and reuse the work for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as appropriate credit is given to the original authors and the journal.
By submitting a manuscript, authors confirm that the work has not been published previously (except as an abstract, lecture, or academic thesis), is not under review elsewhere, and has been approved by all authors and relevant authorities. Once accepted, the article will be openly accessible under the CC BY 4.0 license, ensuring wide dissemination and reuse with proper attribution.
