Common Names: Melanthera, Climbing False Daisy, Yellow Weed
Local Names: Abo-yunyun, Aboyunrinyun, Ounje-ehoro (Yoruba, Nigeria), Agbugbo (Igbo, Nigeria), Kpokpo (Ewe, Ghana), Nsukka Weed (Nigeria)
Species ID: NMP-105 | wfo-0000089632

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Angiosperms

Class: Eudicots

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Melanthera

Species: M. scandens

Synonyms: Amellus scandens (Schumach. & Thonn.) Kuntze, Buphthalmum scandens Schumach. & Thonn., Melanthera brownei (DC.) Sch.Bip., Wollastonia scandens (Schumach. & Thonn.) DC.

Melanthera scandens is a sprawling or climbing herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family, often reaching 1–3 m in length. Its key features include:

·       Habit: Trailing or climbing vine with slender, branching stems, often rooting at nodes.

·       Stem: Green to reddish-brown, scabrous (rough-textured), covered with short, stiff hairs.

·       Leaves: Simple, opposite, ovate to lanceolate, 5–12 cm long, 3–7 cm wide, with serrated or toothed margins, dark green, and sandpaper-like texture (Burkill, 1985).

·       Flowers: Small, yellow, in terminal or axillary heads (capitula), 1–2 cm across, with 5–10 ray florets and numerous disc florets.

·       Fruit: Achenes, 2–3 mm long, dark brown, with a pappus of short bristles aiding wind dispersal (Dalziel, 1937).

Its rough foliage and bright yellow flower heads are characteristic of the genus (Keay, 1989).

Melanthera scandens is native to tropical Africa and has spread pantropically due to human activity:

·       Regions: West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal), Central Africa (Cameroon, DR Congo), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), and introduced in Asia (India, Philippines) and the Americas (Brazil).

It thrives in disturbed habitats such as roadsides, fallow fields, forest edges, and riverbanks at elevations up to 1,200 m, preferring sandy or loamy soils (pH 5.0–7.0) and full sun (Burkill, 1985).

Melanthera scandens is a medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, and antidiabetic properties. Traditionally used to treat wounds, infections, fever, stomach disorders, and liver ailments, it is applied as a decoction, poultice, or extract. The plant contains bioactive compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, which contribute to its healing effects. It also shows potential in managing diabetes, malaria, and oxidative stress. While beneficial, its use should be guided by caution, especially in pregnant women or at high doses due to potential toxicity.

·       Wound Healing: Leaf poultices in Ghana accelerate wound closure. Freiesleben et al. (2017) found warm water leaf extracts (50 μg/mL) enhanced fibroblast proliferation by 35% and migration by 40% in vitro, linked to flavonoids.

·       Antimicrobial: Leaf decoctions in Nigeria treat infections. Tagousop et al. (2018) reported saponin-rich extracts (MIC 32 μg/mL) inhibited Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans.

·       Anti-inflammatory: Leaf infusions in Senegal reduce swelling. Okoli et al. (2007) showed ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg) reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats by 58%, due to phenolic compounds.

·       Purgative: Leaf sap in Cameroon acts as a laxative. Burkill (1985) notes its use for constipation, supported by saponin content.

·       Respiratory Relief: Decoctions in Togo treat coughs and sore throats. Traditional use aligns with antimicrobial effects (Tagousop et al., 2018).

·       Childbirth Aid: Leaf preparations in Nigeria hasten labor. Ethnographic records suggest oxytocic properties, though studies are limited (Dalziel, 1937).

Phytochemicals include flavonoids (quercetin), saponins, tannins, alkaloids, and terpenoids, contributing to its therapeutic effects (Tagousop et al., 2018; Okoli et al., 2007).

⚠  Toxicity Profile: No acute toxicity observed in rats at 2,000 mg/kg of leaf extract orally over 14 days, but the scabrous leaves can cause mechanical skin irritation. High doses may lead to mild gastrointestinal upset due to saponins (Tagousop et al., 2018).

·       Culinary: Young leaves are cooked in soups in Nigeria and Ghana, valued for their slightly bitter taste and nutritional content (vitamin C, iron) (Burkill, 1985).

·       Fodder: Occasionally used as livestock feed in rural areas (Dalziel, 1937).

·       Ecological: Acts as a ground cover, reducing soil erosion in disturbed areas (Keay, 1989).

·       Cultural: Leaves used in Yoruba rituals for cleansing and protection (Burkill, 1985).

• Burkill, H. M. (1985). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa (Vol. 1). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

• Dalziel, J. M. (1937). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. Crown Agents for the Colonies.

• Freiesleben, S. H., Soelberg, J., Nyberg, N. T., & Jäger, A. K. (2017). Determination of the wound healing potentials of medicinal plants historically used in Ghana. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, Article ID 9480791. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9480791

• Keay, R. W. J. (1989). Trees of Nigeria. Clarendon Press.

• Okoli, R. I., Aigbe, O., Ohaju-Obodo, J. O., & Mensah, J. K. (2007). Medicinal herbs used for managing some common ailments among Esan people of Edo State, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 6(5), 490–496.

• Tagousop, C. N., Tamokou, J. D., Kengne, I. C., Ngnokam, D., & Voutquenne-Nazabadioko, L. (2018). Antimicrobial activities of saponins from Melanthera elliptica and their synergistic effects with antibiotics against pathogenic phenotypes. Chemistry Central Journal, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-018-0466-6

• JSTOR Plants - Melanthera scandens

• Tropical Plants Database - Melanthera scandens

• African Plants - Melanthera scandens

• Tropical Plants Database Images - Melanthera scandens

• 9,12,15-Octadecatrien-1-ol
• 4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylene-bicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-eneoxide
• (E)-4-tetradecene

Adesanwo, J. K., Egbomeade, C. O., Moronkola, D. O., & Akinpelu, D. A. (2019). Chemical, toxicity and antibacterial studies on methanol extracts of Melanthera scandens, Ageratum conyzoides, Aspilia Africana and Synedrella nodiflora. Journal of Exploratory Research in Pharmacology, 4(1), 1-7.