REVIEW OF THE TOXICITY, MEDICINAL BENEFITS, PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS AND MORPHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS HOOK. F.
*Innocent O. Imosemi
ABSTRACT
The importance of herbal medicine occupying distinct position right from ancient period cannot be overemphasized. Telfairia occidentalis also known as fluted pumpkin and locally referred to as „ugu‟ in Nigeria, is a vegetable popularly consumed in soup and employed in folk medicine preparation in the management of various diseases such as anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, diabetics and gastrointestinal disorders. Telfairia occidentalis which belongs to the family of cucurbitaceae, is a partial drought-tolerant, dioecious perennial plant cultivated mainly in Nigeria and indigenous to southern Nigeria. The high nutritional value and antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, haematological, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, testiculoprotective, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, sedative and anticonvulsant properties of the leave and seed of the plant, increases its popularity. However, in spite of the numerous nutritional, medicinal and pharmacological attributes of Telfairia occidentalis, the root part of the plant is believed to be poisonous, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, testiculotoxic and detrimental to the mucosal lining of the stomach. This review, obtained from literature search, highlights the toxicity, medicinal values, pharmacological actions and morphological effects (on some organs/systems) of Telfairia occidentalis.
Keywords: Vegetables, Telfairia occidentalis, Toxicity, Pharmacological actions, Morphological effects.
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