Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl) A. Gray. (Asteraceae: Heliantheae), an invasive plant of significant ethnopharmacological importance: A review

Tithonia diversifolia is a shrub-like perennial or annual invasive plant, native to north and Central America. The plant is widely used in several countries such as Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Mexico, the Philippines, São Tomé and Príncipe, Taiwan, Uganda, and Venezuela to traditionally treat numerous diseases including diabetes, malaria, snake bite, measles, gastric ulcer, menstrual pains, and wounds. This paper reviews the ethnomedicinal importance of T. diversifolia, as well as its proximate analysis, phytochemistry, biological activities, and potential toxicity. Published literature on T. diversifolia were sourced from data bases such as Google Scholar, Medicine, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and SciFinder. Literature indicates that T. diversifolia is used to cure an array of ailments owing to its biochemical constituents which are mainly sesquiterpenes. Regardless of the invasive nature of T. diverisifolia, it has also been found useful in folkloric medicinal practices as well as in remediation of heavy metals from the soil. This review provides a basis for future investigation such as isolation of bioactive components and mechanism of action of the bioactivities elicited by this plant.