Ethno-botanical and Pharmaceutical Properties of Mollucan Spinach (Gynura procumbens Lour. Merr)

Abstract

Recently there has been increase in patronage of herbal medicine due to economic constrain particularly among low income earners in the developing countries such as Nigeria. Gynura procumbens, (Molucan spinach) is widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of wide ailments such as fever, malaria, anti-glycaemic, rheumatism, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer, kidney diseases, anti-inflammatory, constipation, male sterility and body pain among others. This study reviews the ethnobotanical and pharmaceutical properties of G. procumbens (Lour.) Merr hence provided some data and information on the biological activity of G. procumbens which evaluated and validated its efficacy and safety in the treatment of different ailments. Based on the traditional uses of G. procumbens, the specie appears to possess high therapeutic potential for treatment of various diseases hence making it a target for pharmacological studies. Despite the knowledge and use of ethnomedicine the current scientific evidence on biological activities of G. procumbens remain scanty.

Sustainable Applications of Endophytic Bacteria and Their Physiological/Biochemical Roles on Medicinal and Herbal Plants: Review

“…The longevity spinach ( Gynura procumbens DC.) is a medicinal plant species for treatment of cancer, constipation, fever, kidney diseases, rheumatism, rashes, headache, and viral skin diseases [ 67 , 68 ]. The leaves of G. procumbens contain anti-herpes simplex virus, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, anti-allergy agent, and antihypertensive properties [ 68 ].…”

“…G. procumbens leaves contain essential oil, flavonoids, miraculin, polyphenols, peroxidase, thaumatin-like proteins, terpenoids, and unsaturated sterols. The screening of endophytic bacteria for the plant growth regulators such as cytokinin were needed as means to explore if these endophytic bacteria can be applied in agriculture [ 67 ]. Acenitobacter calcoaceticus , Paenibacillus polymaxa , and Psuedomonas resinovorans were isolated from G. procumbens leaves collected in Malaysia [ 68 ].…”

Phytochemical and Biological Investigation of an Indigenous Plant of Bangladesh, Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr.: Drug Discovery from Nature

“…It has a long history of use as a herbal remedy, particularly in Southeast Asia. Numerous conditions are treated with the plant, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, eruptive fever, kidney illness, rash, inflammation, and hypertension [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. In Malaysia, G. procumbens leaves are frequently consumed raw, whereas in Thailand, the leaves are also cooked [ 28 ].…”