Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina

Abstract

Popularly known as bitter leaf (due to its bitter taste), Vernonia amygdalina is an edible shrub plant which is grown in major parts of Africa, particularly in the western parts of the continent. V. amygdalina is greatly consumed due to its nutritious and medicinal properties and has come be considered a very essential medicinal plant in herbal medicine and pharmaceuticals). V. amygdalina is known to be naturally found along river lakes and forest margin. It also can be found in woodlands and grasslands. It is fast-growing plant which can grow up to a height of 1 -3m, with leaves being 6mm in diameter.Studies have shown that V. amygdalina contains bioactive compounds which work against helminthes and other protozoan, including bacteria and fungi. Further studies are being carried out on the plant to fully understand its mechanism of action and its full potency against other bacterial and fungal diseases. Present finding focuses on preliminary phytochemical screening of bioactive compounds and its anti-microbial activities against microbes.