Some Wild Herbaceous Plants of Nigeria: A Biological, Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Review

In the twentieth century, science makes substantial breakthrough in management and cure of diseases by chemotherapy due to discovery of antibiotics and other chemotherapeutic agents. In the twenty first century, man and other animals are still, however being challenged by emergence of new infectious and non-infectious diseases that have proven to be resistant to the available novel therapeutic drugs. The available orthodox medications have either been ineffective against some causative agents of these diseases; too costly or basically unavailable to the average citizen of developing countries like Nigeria. The use of herbal remedies for prevention, management and cure of diseases is as old as antiquity, yet still common practice among the African population. A number of plants used in traditional herbal medicine have been evaluated by different researchers. This book chapter provides a concise review of traditional use, phytochemical contents, pharmacognostic and biological activities of some wild herbaceous plants that of medicinal importance in Nigeria. Plants including; Cuminium cyminum Linn, Rauwolfia vomitoria Afzel, Cassia sieberiana D.C, Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redh, Guiera senegalensis J.F.Gmel, Acalypha indica Linn, Euphorbia hirta Linn, Euphobia unispina N.E.Br, Phyllantus muellerianus (Kuntze) Exell, Senna occidenatlis Linn and Grewia mollis Juss are comprehensively reviewed. Phytochemicals like glycosides, alkaloids, polyphenols, flavonoids, phytosterols, terpenoids, saponins etc are widely reported to be present in various parts of these plants. The traditional herbal use of the plants in management and cure of ailments, as well as reported biological and pharmacological activities were linked to the presence of these phytochemicals. Based on the information reviewed, it is concluded that these wild herbaceous plants are potential sources of new natural bioactive substances that could be explored and exploited for their therapeutic and industrial applications.