Pharmacognostic studies of leaf of Craterosiphon scandens Engl. & Gilg. (THYMELAEACEAE)

Abstract

Background: Craterosiphon scandens Engl. and Gilg. (Thymelaeaceae), commonly known as african winged bean, bierie, or Itaka in various African region has been traditionally used for various medicinal purposes such as stomachache, malaria and fever. This study is aimed at identifying, describing and documenting the pharmacognostic, and diagnostic characters to establish standardization and quality control parameters for the leaves of C. scandens.

Methods: Standard procedures were used for microscopy, micrometry, chemomicroscopy, moisture content, ash values, extractive values, fluorescence, and physicochemical properties.

Results: The results of the leaf microscopy revealed that the epidermal cell wall was iregular for both abaxial and adaxial surface, with hypostomatic stomata, and anticlinal wall pattern as straight-undulate. For the micromeritic evaluation of the powdered leaf, the Hausner ratio was 1.546 and Carr’s index was 36, indicating poor flow, the angle of repose was 42.520 indicating a passable flow. Chemo microscopy study revealed the presence of mucilage, cellulose, lignin, starch and calcium oxalate crystals (druse) while protein was absent. The moisture content of the leaf was 9.5% w/w, the total ash value was 8.6% w/w, the acid-insoluble ash value was 1.7% w/w, the water-soluble ash value was 1.8% w/w. The water-soluble extractive values, ethanol- soluble values and methanol-soluble values for the leaf of C. scandens were 16.67% w/w, 12.33 % w/w and 13.67% w/w respectively, all these falls within the limit when compared to the standard.

Conclusion: These findings support the identification and authentication of C. scandens, establishing standards for quality, purity, safety, and efficacy in Herbal medicine.