Evaluation of the Phytochemical Constituents and Antiprotozoal Effects of Vernonia Amydalina on Entamoeba Histolytica

The aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical constituent and the antiprotozoal activity of V. amygdalina on Entamoeba histolytica. Fresh leaves of V. amygdalina were collected from Amagu Street, Sakamories quarters, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The plant was washed, soaked, filtered, and air-dried to get the aqueous extract. Semi-quantitative phytochemical identification, as well as antibacterial assays of the extracts against Entamoeba histolytica isolated from faeces by agar well diffusion method, were carried out. The clinical isolate was obtained from the Department of Medical Microbiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Metronidazole and Tinidazole as standard medications were used as controls. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts showed the presence of saponin, tannins, resin, carbohydrates, glycosides, steroids, fats and oil, acidic compounds, and reducing sugar. The aqueous extract shows a potent antiamoebic effect against E. histolytica at different incubation periods. The longer the incubation period the higher the inhibitory effects and also the higher the concentration of the extract the higher the inhibitory effect. In conclusion, this study revealed that the aqueous extract of V. amygdalina contains a high amount of phytoconstituents, especially tannins and it may be responsible for its good antiamoebic activity. Further studies are necessary to isolate and identify the active compounds in the crude extract fraction of V. amygdalina responsible for the antiamoebic activities.