NUTRITIVE AND MEDICINAL VALUE OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM

Abstract

Background

The tropical rainforest plant Gongronema latifolium is popular for its nutritive and medicinal value across many African nations. The rich phytochemistry of this plant is responsible for a wide variety of pharmacological actions. It is commonly used as a vegetable in soups, salads or as a food spice in other food preparations. Medicinally, it is widely used in diabetes, malaria, hepatitis, stomachache, anorexia, cough etc.

Aims

This essay aims to cover details about the origin, botanical features, ethnopharmacological uses, indigenous rights, phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties of Gongronema latifolium.

Methods

PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched for the name “Gongronema Latifolium”.

Results & Conclusion

This short review tried to justify the ethnomedical importance of G.latifolium for researchers. It is enriched with varities of flavonoids, saponins,alkaloids and steroidal phytochemicals which exhibit prominent pharmacological actions such as hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, cytotoxic, anti-oxidant and antimicrobial in-vitro and in-vivo. One of the active compound; iloneoside was able to show potent antileukemic activity. Itshould be evaluated against other cancer cell lines. Lastly, further research is required to understand the true potential of this African plant.