PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF HYPOESTES CANCELLATA NEES (ACANTHACEAE)

Authors

  • Y.M. Hadi Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Kaduna State
  • E.M. Abdurahman Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • I. Garba Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • A.M. Abdullahi, Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Kaduna State University
  • M.A. Ahmed Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Kaduna State University
  • S. Shehu Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Kaduna State University
  • A.B. Ibrahim Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Kaduna State University

Keywords:

Hypoestes cancellata, Macroscopy, Microscopy, Physicochemical parameters, Phytochemical

Abstract

Hypoestes cancellata is a species of the savanna belt occurring in the forests of West and Central Africa belonging
to the family Acanthaceae. It is traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes, cancer and fever. The present study
aims to establish some pharmacognostic features that will aid the authentication of the plant and its crude drug. The
macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical features as well as phytochemical constituents of the methanol
extract of the plant were determined using standard procedures. Macroscopic features of H. cancellata revealed that
the leaf is ovate in shape with acute apex, symmetrical base, entire margin, and smooth surface. Microscopic
examination of the leaf revealed epidermal cells with wavy anticlinical walls, diacytic stomata, cystoliths and sessile
glandular trichomes as well as multicellular covering trichomes. Transverse section of the leaf showed vascular
bundles surrounded by the cortex while transverse section of the stem revealed epidermis followed immediately by
cortex and then the vascular bundles with a wide central pit. Microscopy of the powdered plant material revealed
features such as sclereids, prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and starch grains. Physicochemical evaluation showed
water soluble extractive value of 28.00±0.88%, ethanol soluble extractive value of 19.00±0.67% and moisture
content of 6.67±0.11%. The total ash, acid insoluble and water-soluble ash values of the powder were found to be
8.00±0.20%, 1.50±0.17%% and 3.50±0.17% respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the
presence of carbohydrate, saponins, flavonoids and steroids. The results of the study can serve as a source of
information and provide suitable standards for identification of H. cancellata.

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Published

2024-03-22

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Articles