Vernonia amygdalina: An Underutilized Vegetable with Nutraceutical Potentials – A Review

In recent years, studies have been focus not only on the nutritional properties of Vernonia amygdalina, but its pharmacological, medicinal and antioxidant values. The antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, haematological, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, pharmacological and medicinal value of Vernonia amygdalina is no longer in doubt and is comprehensively documented in this study. Some studies attribute its medicinal properties to its phytochemical compounds while other studies link its health benefits to its bioactive components. It is expected that this review will be useful to researchers, agriculturists and herbal medical practitioners and improve interest in the study and utilization of this plant in other part of the globe where it is not presently cultivated or utilize. Relevant information was obtained from online resources such as Google Search, Google Scholar, PubMed and Medline. Only literature highlighting the nutritional, medicinal, pharmacological, and antioxidant activities of the plant were selected for this review.