The Effect Of Vernonia Amygdalena Extract On Proteus Induced Urinary Tract Infection In Adult Wistar Albino Rats.
INTRODUCTION
Most plants known to man are believed to possess some therapeutic characteristics and medicinal value. Medicinal plants are the backbone of traditional medicine (Fransworth, 1994). Traditional medical practice has been known for centuries, in many parts of the world (Parekh and Chands, 2007).
It has, however, been observed that these practices vary from one country to another (Igwo-Ezikpe, 2013). Vernonia amygdalina belongs to the family Compositae; the family is the largest family of the flowering plants comprising 950 genera and about 23,000 species.
The family is of cosmopolitan distributions covering almost all habitats. Vernonia amygdalina is a valuable medicinal plant that is widespread in West Africa.
In Nigeria, it is known variously as “Ewuro” in Yoruba language, “Onugbu” in Igbo language, “Oriwo” in Bini language, “Ityuna” in Tiv, “Chusar doki or fatefate” in Hausa, while it is known as “Etidot” in Cross River State of Nigeria (Ebenezer and Olatunde, 2011). it is known as bitter leaf due to its characteristic bitter taste and flavour.
he bitter taste is due to anti-nutritional factors such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and glycosides (Bonsi et al., 1995). The organic fraction extracts of the plant was shown to possess cytotoxic effects towards human carcinoma cells of the nasopharynx (Seef et al., 2001).
It is effective against amoebic dysentery (Moundipa et al., 2000), gastrointestinal disorders, and has antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities (Akinpelu, 1999, Hladik et al., 20005). This plant contains complex active components that are useful pharmacologically (Udochukwu, et al., 2015).
Many West African countries like Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria use the stem and root as chewing sticks (Burkill, 1985). It is also documented that V. amygdalina has been used traditionally in blood clothing.
The biologically-active compounds of Vernonia amygdalina are saponins and alkaloids (Muraina et al., 2010), terpenes, steroids, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, xanthones and anthraquinone (Cimanga et al., 2004), edotides and sesquiterpenes (Izevbigie, 2003).
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