Phytopharmceutical Standardization of Leaves of Jatropha tanjorensis J. L. Ellis & Saroja. (Euphorbiaceae)

Abstract

Jatropha tanjorensis J.L. Ellis & Saroja. (Euphorbiaceae) is a shrub commonly used as an edible vegetable and is also used as a tonic herb. The study was aimed to evaluate pharmacognostic parameters of Jatropha tanjorensis leaves. The plant leaves were collected, air-dried, pulverized and stored in a clean glass container. Standard procedures were employed to obtain the microscopic features of the fresh and powdered samples, micromeritic, chemomicroscopy, fluorescence properties, moisture content, ash values and soluble extractive values were also carried out. The results of the microscopic studies using the fresh and powered leaf samples revealed the presence of anomocytic, anomalous and paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface and anomocytic stomata on the adaxial surface. The plant sample also possessed unicellular trichomes. Results of micromeritic properties of the powdered samples show bulk volume of 38.67±0.7, tapped volume of 30.00±0.4, bulk density of 0.26±0.00, tapped  density of 0.33±0.00, angle of repose of 350, Carr’s Index of 22.96±2.15, Hausner’s ratio of 1.27±0.03, pH of 7.51 and 7.52 when hot and cold respectively. Chemomicroscopy studies revealed the presence of lignin, mucilage, calcium oxalate crystals, starch and oil in the powdered leaf. Results for moisture contents was 18.33±0.01% w/w, total ash value was 9.33±0.00%w/w, acid-insoluble ash value was 0.67±0.01%w/w, water-soluble ash value was 4.0±0.00%w/w and sulfated ash value was 14±0.01%w/w. Results for ethanol-soluble extractive value was 15±0.00%w/w, methanol-soluble extractive value was 19±0.00%w/w and water-soluble extractive value was 27±0.01%w/w. In conclusion, the above evaluation and parameters could be used to establish pharmacopoeial standard of both fresh and powdered drug of Jatropha tanjorensis.