Telfairia occidentalis
Hook.f. (Cucurbitaceae) is cultivated in West Africa. The purpose of this article is to
review information available in scientific literature on the pharmacological and biological activities of the
plant. Searches were made and relevant information obtained from online resources such as Google
Scholar, PubMed and Medline. Only literature highlighting the pharmacological, biological and
biochemical activities of the plant were selected for this review. The antioxidant, antidiabetic,
hepatoprotective, haematological, antiplasmodial, antimicrobial, testiculoprotective, anticancer,
antiinflammatory, anxiolytic, sedative and anticonvulsant properties of the plant are documented in this
paper. Some of these properties are attributable to the high antioxidant activity of the plant. The
medicinal value of
Telfairia occidentalis is no longer in doubt. It is expected that this review will be useful
to researchers, herbal medical practitioners and agriculturists, and would also enhance optimum
exploitation of the plants for its several benefits
