Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

Phytomedicines are medicinal products of plant origin that have been used since ancient times till date for the prophylaxis and treatment of various ailments. Vernonia amygdalina Del (Asteraceae) is a perennial shrub that is widely distributed in tropical parts of Africa. It is popularly known as bitter leaf and consumed as a vegetable and for medicinal purposes. The plant has been used in folkloric medicine for the treatment of several diseases owing to its diverse pharmacological applications. The plant has low toxicity profile; thus, making it a potential drug candidate. Scientific investigations have shown that, V. amygdalina Del possesses potent pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, anthelminthic, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antianaemic activities. Moreover, V. amygdalina Del contains various phytochemical compounds which may be associated with its potent pharmacological properties. The present study is a review of the therapeutic benefits as well as phytochemicals isolated from V. amygdalina Del.