NUTRITIONAL VALUE, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF VIGNA UNGUICULATA (L.) WALP.: A REVIEW

Jules Munganga Kitadi, Clément Liyongo Inkoto, Emmanuel Moke Lengbiye, Kalulu Taba, Mbala Mavinga, Damien ShaTshibey Tshibangu, Dorothée Dinangayi Tshilanda, Ngbolua Koto-te-Nyiwa, Pius Tshimankinda Mpiana*

ABSTRACT

In the present review the aim was to gather the information related to nutritional value, phytochemistry and biological activities of Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp. A literature search of this specie was conducted to obtain information about the nutritional value, phytochemistry and biological activities from various electronic databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, Google schola). The scientific name of this plant species was used as a keyword for the search, along with the terms: traditional uses, botany description, nutritional value, phytochemistry and biological activities. The bibliographic references of this study was made using bibliographic software Mendeley. Results revealed that this plant is traditionally used as stimulant or pain reliever. Vigna unguiculate, one of the most used edible plant is reported to possess various biological properties like anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antiviral, hypolipidemic, antioxydant, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic, Antisickling, thrombolytic activities. These properties are due to the presence of numerous naturally occurring phytochemicals like flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, sterols, reducing sugar, terpenoids and phenolic acids. In the conclusion, the present review can, therefore, help to inform future scientific research towards the development of novel drugs of relevance from Vigna Unguiculata to improve human health and wellbeing. Especially drug candidates for cancer treatment or external use like wound healing medicines.

Keywords: Vigna Unguiculata (L) Walp, medicinal plants, photochemistry and pharmacological activities.