PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDIES OF THE LEAF OF CNIDOSCOLUS ACONITIFOLIUS

Purpose: The work focused on the pharmacognostic standardization of the leaf of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius. Background: C. aconitifolius is a fast growing, drought resistant and heavy rain tolerating perennial shrub, highly nutritive and of wide medicinal applications. Medicinal plants are regarded as safer and cheaper alternative to synthetic drugs but these are prone to adulteration and substitution. This therefore necessitates pharmacognostic standardization of these plants to ensure identity, quality control and purity of the plant drug material. Materials and Methods: This involved macroscopic and microscopic (quantitative and Qualitative, as well as chemo microscopic) studies, anatomical sectioning with photomicrograps, and physicochemical (analytical) parameters. Results: Leaves were petiolate and palmately compound and 12.73 x 7.53 average size. The leaf was isobilateral with a thicker upper (EP1) and smaller-celled lower epidermis (EP2), a starch sheath around the vascular tissues, a wide parenchymatous pith, anomocytic stomata with 6 – 7 surrounding epidermal cells formed like the wings of a butterfly, scapula-shaped large prisms of calcium oxalate, numerous and tiny starch grains. Cellulose, tannins, calcium carbonate, proteins, lignins, fats and fatty oils were detected. Average palisade ratio was 42.5, stomata number for EP1 and EP2 were 1.5 and 5.75, silmilarly, stomatal index was 9.68 and 29.11. Average vein-islet number and vein terminations were 2 and 5 respectively. Leaf powder exhibited characteristic colours under 254 and 365 nm UV wavelengths. Average moisture content, Ash value, acid-insoluble ash and water soluble ash values were 10.56, 13.5, 02 and 08. Water and alcohol (ethanol) extractives were 10 and 04.73. Conclusion: The features of this plant as shown are important in creating a monograph for the plant especially as no known analysis in this regard has been done. Key words: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Standardization, Pulverization, Anatomical sections