The crude hexane and methanol extracts of V divaricata exhibited anti-proliferation activity and as such, it is a potential drug for cancer chemotherapy and prevention.
ABSTRACT
Background: Vernonia divaricata is one of five endemic Vernonia species of Jamaica. The ethno-medicinal uses of other species have been established, however, scientific validation of this species has not yet been done and as such this paper is aimed at identifying the anti-cancer activity of V divaricata against leukaemia, breast and prostate cancer cell lines.
Total and hot water extractable cadmium were measured in Jamaican bush teas to determine potential dietary exposure. The level of exposure from this source was not found to be significant.
The Beck Depression Inventory – II is one of the gold standard screening tools for depression. It was validated in a university student population in Jamaica. The scale has reasonably good concurrent validity and acceptable discriminant validity.