Antiparasitic activity tests of the bitter constituents present in Vernonia amygdalina along with quantitative analysis of active constituents proved that parasitic infections in wild chimpanzees were treated using the leaf of this plant.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Vernonia amygdalina is a herbal leaf used in traditional medicine.
- The decoctions of this herbal leaf are even used to treat fever, malaria, scabies, headache and stomach ache in humans in Africa.
- This leaf has bitter constituents and non-bitter related constituents.
- When the chemical investigations were carried out on these constituents, it was found that when the pith of this plant was given to the chimpanzees.
- This recovers them well from their lower appetites, lower parasite loads and regained strength within 24 hours after consuming this medicinal plant.
- Chimpanzees remove the leaves and chew the pith of the plant, absorbing the bitter juice of this herbal plant.
- This proves that wild chimpanzees are treated with Vernonia amygdalina for parasitic infections.