Vernonia ambigua

Vernonia ambigua

Scientific Classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Clade: Angiosperms
  • Order: Asterales
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Genus: Vernonia
  • Species: V. ambigua

Synonyms: Vernoniastrum ambiguum

Species ID: NMP-284;Taxonomy ID: 2576596;wfo-0000115606

Common Names: iron weed

Local Names: Taba-Taba or Tattaba (Hausa), orungo(Yoruba)

Basic Description:

Vernonia ambigua is an erect, coarse annual herb reaching heights between 0.5 to 2 feet. It features ribbed, pubescent stems and oblanceolate leaves that are sessile and densely hairy. The plant produces violet to white flowers arranged in terminal or axillary clusters.

Distribution and Habitat:

This species is native to tropical Africa, with its range extending from Senegal to Sudan and southwards to Angola and Zambia. In Nigeria, it thrives in seasonally dry tropical biomes, commonly found in open fields, forest edges, and along roadsides.

Medicinal Properties:

Vernonia ambigua holds significance in traditional African medicine. Phytochemical analyses have identified various bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and triterpenes, which contribute to its therapeutic potential.

  • Vernonia ambigua is traditionally used for managing various health conditions, including skin diseases, fungal infections, diarrhea, and intestinal worms. Additionally, the plant is valued for addressing reproductive health issues such as endometriosis and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Its leaves are consumed orally to treat both male and female infertility. The bitter decoction of the plant is also used as a remedy for cough and fever.
  • Antimicrobial Activity: Studies have demonstrated the plant's efficacy against bacterial and fungal pathogens. For instance, extracts of V. ambigua exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as antifungal activity against Candida albicans.
  • Anti-Quorum Sensing Activity: Research indicates that sesquiterpene lactones isolated from V. ambigua can disrupt quorum sensing in bacteria, a mechanism crucial for pathogenicity. This property underscores the plant's potential in mitigating bacterial virulence.

Known Toxicity:

While Vernonia ambigua is utilized for its medicinal benefits, caution is advised due to the presence of certain compounds that may exhibit toxicity at high concentrations. Proper dosing and preparation are essential to minimize potential adverse effects.

Additional Information:

The genus Vernonia comprises numerous species renowned for their medicinal applications across Africa. These plants are rich in bioactive substances, including sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids, which contribute to their therapeutic properties. Ongoing research continues to explore the pharmacological potentials of Vernonia species, aiming to validate traditional uses and discover novel therapeutic agents.

References:

1.    Kew Science. (n.d.). Vernoniastrum ambiguum (Kotschy & Peyr.) H.Rob. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1010926-1

2.    Flora of Tropical East Africa. (2005). Vernonia ambigua Kotschy & Peyr. Compositae. Retrieved from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1010926-1/general-information

3.    Maroyi, A. (2020). Evaluation of Pharmacological properties, Phytochemistry and Medicinal uses of Vernoniastrum ambiguum. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 13(10), 4715-4719. Retrieved from https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2020-13-10-33

4.    A review on antimicrobial potential of species of the genus Vernonia. (2013). Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 7(12), 706-713. Retrieved from https://academicjournals.org/journal/JMPR/article-full-text-pdf/3AC6F7C54895

5.    Phytochemistry and quorum sensing inhibitory studies of four Vernonia species growing in Nigeria. (2021). University of KwaZulu-Natal ResearchSpace. Retrieved from https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/items/0e85efc6-077a-4541-ab64-f21f343b0092/full

6.    Gwandu, U. Z., Dangoggo, S. M., Faruk, U. Z., Halilu, E. M., Yusuf, A. J., & Mailafiya, M. M. (2020). Isolation and Characterization of Oleanolic Acid Benzoate from the Ethylacetate Leaves Extracts of Vernonia ambigua (Kotschy Ex. Peyr). Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria, 45(5).

External links

  1. https://www.gbif.org/fr/species/5397168
  2. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:257785-1
  3. https://plants.jstor.org/compilation/vernonia.ambigua
Compounds of Vernonia ambigua
References


Gwandu, U. Z., Dangoggo, S. M., Faruk, U. Z., Halilu, E. M., Yusuf, A. J., & Mailafiya, M. M. (2020). Isolation and Characterization of Oleanolic Acid Benzoate from the Ethylacetate Leaves Extracts of Vernonia ambigua (Kotschy Ex. Peyr). Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria, 45(5).