Microscopic, Micromeritic and Phytochemical Analysis of the Leaves of Pseuderanthemum maculatum (G. Lodd.) I. M. Turner, A Plant with Potential Pharmacognistic Uses
Romanus A. Umoh *
Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.
Imoh I. Johnny
Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.
Nsima A. Andy
Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel R. Idio
Department of Botany and Ecological Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Uyo, Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.
Goodnews E. Charles
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.
Anwanabasi E. Udoh
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.
Joy A. Ofon
Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Akwa, Ibom State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Pseuderanthemum maculatum, Pseuderanthemum maculatum (G.Lodd.) I.M.Turner [previously Pseuderanthemum carruthersii (Seem.) Guillaumin var. carruthersii] is an ornamental plant with potential pharmacognostic uses in the management of hypertension and cancers. There hadn’t been much work done on this plant previously hence making the current research work very much significant.
Methods: The leaves were collected, identified, air dried, pulverized, weighed and subjected to evaluation parameters using standard procedures. GC-MS analysis was also carried out on the dichloromethane extract of the leaf.
Results: The results showed that the stomatal distribution was hypostomatic with diacytic stomatal type. Stomatal index was 23.12% and the stomatal number was 60 (69.9 ± 2.65)86. Flow rate of the leaf was poor with the bulk volume of 32.30 ± 1.04, tapped volume of 21.8 ± 0.76, bulk density of 0.32 ± 0.02, tapped density of 0.46 ± 0.02, angle of repose 42.65°, Carr's index of 31.06% and Hausner's ratio of 1.45 ± 0.03. The chemomicroscopy and fluorescence analyses revealed characteristic features for the drug. The water-soluble, methanol-soluble, ethanol-soluble extractive values were 20.67 %w/w, 11.67 %w/w and 11.33 %w/w respectively. The moisture content of the leaf powder was 9.84%w/w. The total ash, acid-insoluble and water-soluble ash values were 6.72%w/w, 1.34%w/w and 16.17%w/w respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 11 chemical constituents with phytochemicals such as hexanoic acid, benzoic acid, undecenoic acid, heptanoic acid and Eicosane which are of useful pharmaceutical importance.
Conclusion: These data obtained from the pharmacognostic studies provides information about the identity, purity and quality of Pseuderanthemum maculatum.
Keywords: Abaxial, diacytic, hypostomatic, microscopy and Pseuderanthemum maculatum