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.