Phytochemical Properties and Antifungal Activity of Vernonia amygdalina Extracts from Imo State, South East Nigeria

Vernonia amygdalina, commonly known as bitter leaf, is extensively used across South East Nigerian communities as a medicinal herb and is claimed to possess antifungal properties against organisms responsible for superficial and systemic mycotic infections. This study evaluates the phytochemical constituents and antifungal activity of aqueous, ethanolic, and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina leaves collected from agricultural farms in Imo State, South East Nigeria. Qualitative phytochemical screening identifies alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, and phenols. Quantitative analysis measures total phenolic content and total flavonoid content by spectrophotometric methods. Antifungal susceptibility testing against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton rubrum is performed using the broth microdilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations. Extract yields across solvents are compared and the relationship between phytochemical richness and antifungal potency is analysed statistically. Commercial antifungal agent fluconazole serves as a positive control. Results are expected to demonstrate concentration-dependent inhibition of all three fungal species with the ethanolic extract exhibiting superior activity. Findings provide a scientific basis for the ethnomedicinal application of Vernonia amygdalina and support drug discovery programmes exploring Nigerian plant resources as antifungal lead compounds. Keywords: Vernonia amygdalina, antifungal activity, phytochemical screening, Imo State, medicinal plants