PHARMACOGNOSTIC PROPERTIES OF CANNABIS SATIVA L. (CANNABACEAE)SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM VARIOUS REGIONS OF NIGERIA

Authors

  • C. C. Ohanele Defence Identification Centre, Defence Headquarters Abuja Author
  • M. S. Abubakar Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Author
  • A. Z. Abubakar Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Author
  • M. G. Magaji Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Author

Keywords:

cannabinoids, C. sativa, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, thin layer chromatography

Abstract

Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) belonging to the family Cannabaceae and commonly referred to as ‘marijuana’, is one of
the most used illicit drugs in Nigeria. There is significant level of C. sativa cultivation and trafficking in Nigeria. To
date, pharmacognostic properties of C. sativa material confiscated and cultivated in various regions of Nigeria have
not been reported. This study aimed to determine the pharmacognostic properties of C. sativa grown in various
regions of Nigeria. This study used C. sativa sample of unknown origin confiscated from traffickers in Kaduna State
(A) and five samples seized from farms (cultivated) in Kaduna (B), Adamawa (C), Edo (D), Enugu (E) and Ondo
(F) States of Nigeria. Standard, validated techniques were used to evaluate pharmacognostic parameters including
morphological, organoleptic, microscopic, physical and phytochemical properties of six matured C. sativa samples,
comprising leaves and flowering parts. All the six samples conformed to the general characteristics of C. sativa and
showed no significant morphological and organoleptic differences. Quantitative microscopy and other physicochemical analyses produced similar results. Phytochemical screening yielded carbohydrate, cardiac glycoside and
phenols in all samples. Anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins and tritepenoids were present in most samples. Saponin
was absent in all samples. Colour tests and TLC confirmed the presence of cannabinoids in all samples.
Phytochemical profile and TLC fingerprints of the sample confiscated in Kaduna State (A) and that cultivated in
Ondo State (F) were very similar, suggesting a common chemical identity of both. This study showed that cannabis
grown in various regions of Nigeria shared many important features. The result forms important baseline records for
further studies of cannabis confiscated and cultivated in various regions of Nigeria with possible applications in
medicine, forensics and law enforcement. 

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Published

2025-09-25

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles