2020, Vol. 8, Issue 5, Part C

author(s)
Imomotimi Timipa Ajoko, Bamidele Martin W Amos-Tautua and Sandile Phinda Songca

abstract
Triumfetta cordifolia is a fast-growing, sparsely branched shrub that is erect with hairy but sometimes smooth stem commonly found in Florida, Bermuda, Central, and South America as well as in West Africa. In Nigeria, it is mainly found in the Southern region. It is widely spread in moist areas of tropical Africa and is found wild or cultivated. It belongs to the family Tiliaceae. The plant mainly contains alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, terpenes, tannins and flavonoids which exhibit various important biological activities such anti-diarrhoeal, antiulcerogenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antimalarial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. All parts of the plant; roots, stems and leaves are pharmacologically useful. The Triumfetta cordifolia plant is used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of muscle pain, asthenia, dysentery, hepatitis, liver and kidney ailments among others. This paper presents a review on botanical description, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and economic impact of Triumfetta cordifolia as a medicinal plant.