PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDIES ON THE LEAF OF BASILICUM POLYSTACHYON LINN MOENCH (LAMIACEAE)
Keywords:
Basilicum polystachyon, Macroscopy, Microscopy Chemo-microscopy, Physico-chemical parameters, Standardization.Abstract
Basilicum polystachyon, commonly called Musk basil and locally “kimbar Rafi” in Hausa, Nwansinwansi in Ghana.
This study was carried out to establish a comprehensive report on the quality control and standardization of B.
polystachyon. The preparation of the fresh and powdered samples of leaf was carried out according to WHO
guideline. The result of macroscopic evaluation of the leaf of B. polystachyon revealed simple leaf type, opposite
leaf arrangement, acuminate leaf apex, acute leaf base, reticulate venation, crenate leaf margin, ovate leaf shape,
glabrous surfaces, green leaf colour, papery, tasteless and pleasant aroma. The result of the microscopy of the
abaxial and adaxial surf ace of the leaf revealed diacytic type of stomata, multicellular and glandular trichomes,
vessels and fibres. Chemomicroscopy of the pulverized leaves revealed presence of cellulose cell wall, gum,
mucilage, cutin and lignin as cell wall materials while the cell inclusions present were protein in form of aleurone
grains, calcium carbonate, calcium oxalate crystals, inulin and tannins. The quantitative leaf microscopy on the
average gave the stomatal number (12.60-11.75±0.85-10.90), stomatal index (22.68-18.89±3.79-15.10), palisade
ratio (6.56-6.25±0.31-5.94), vein islets (47.31-44.75±2.56-42.19) and vein-let termination number (23.94-
20.75±3.19-17.56). The physicochemical parameters of the pulverized leaves revealed moisture content (12.85-
11.58±1.27-10.31), total ash (14.06-11.75±2.31-9.44), acid insoluble ash (5.22-4.13±1.09-3.04), water soluble ash
(6.31-5.88±0.43-5.45), alcohol extractive value (3.80-3.73±0.07-3.66), and water extractive value (3.14-3.07±0.07-
3.00). Findings from this study have provided pharmacognostic standards for the quality control, identification and
standerdisation of B. polystachyon.