Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Spigelia anthelmia Linn (Loganiaceae)

Abstract

Aims: To establish the pharmacognostic standard for S. anthelmia with a view to assisting in the standardization and quality control of medicinal products from the plant. Study Design: Pharmacognostic assessment of Spigelia anthelmia. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacognosy laboratory, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Between 2013 and 2014. Methodology: Chemo microscopic evaluation and determination of physicochemical properties (moisture content, ash values, extractive values) of the powdered whole plant as well as studies of the macroscopic and anatomical sections of the leaf were carried out using standard methods. Results: Evaluation of the macro and microscopic characters showed that the stem is greyish green with smooth bark, the leaves are opposite, simple and entire. The leaf epidermis is straight with numerous starch grains and calcium oxalate crystals. The stomata are anomocytic while the trichome is uniserate. The physichochemical parameters for the whole plant are: Moisture content 11.0±0.05%, total ash 14.67±0.05%, acid insoluble ash 3.33±0.01%, sulphated ash 11.0±0.05%, alcohol soluble extractive 0.25±0.06% and water soluble extractive 0.69±0.02%.   Conclusion: The results of this research provided information which can be included in official monograph of the plant for its proper identification.