Bioprospecting of Vernonia cinerea for nutraceutical and homemade first aid remedies: a review update

Abstract

Vernonia cinerea (VC) is a ubiquitous weed in tropical and subtropical regions. It was traditionally used to treat health issues by various cultures, but today little is known to the new generation about its high medicinal values, how to use it as a quick first aid, and its commercialization potential. A literature search found that VC has been extracted using various kinds of solvents for different polarities of phytochemical extraction. Interestingly, the food-grade solvents such as ethanol and water were found to be suitable to extract the active ingredients from VC for major therapeutic applications such as antioxidants, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial as well as being a wound healer, hepato-protective, and ease the smoking withdrawals symptoms. The spray-dried water extracts are currently innovated into different forms of nutraceutical products. The high toxicity threshold allows the utilisation of VC as home remedies in the form of fresh, dried, and water extracts for oral intake, while the extracts using common alcohol/spirit and oil can be made for topical applications. This review aimed to give an insight into the commercialization potential of VC as a nutraceutical product and the reestablishment of homemade first-aid remedies for various health conditions especially among the people in rural areas.