A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Applications of Vernonia Amygdalina Del.

Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) is an Asteraceae family plant locally grown in Western Africa and has been cultivated in South China for a short time. VA is regarded as a medicinal plant for the treatment of breast cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and malaria in folk Africa and Southeast Asia. This review aims to make a comprehensive analysis of the botanical characterization and distribution, traditional Chinese medicinal property, phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety, and industrial application of VA. The literatures about VA were searched from SciFinder, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, CNKI, VIP, and patent databases published before April 2025. A total of 348 chemical components from VA, including 128 steroids, 14 sesquiterpene enolactones, 43 flavonoids, 62 terpenoids, 11 alkaloids, and 90 other constituents. The pharmacological activities of VA, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects, were also summarized. As a new exotic traditional Chinese medicine, the TCM property was assigned according to TCM theory. The safety and industrial applications of VA were also summed up. Future research on VA should focus on the pharmacological studies on single ingredients from VA and elucidations of their mechanisms. These efforts will facilitate the development and comprehensive utilization of VA application in food, TCM drug, and other supplements.