Phytochemical, Pharmacognostic and Microscopic Analyses of the Leaves of Clerodendrum polycephalum Baker.

Phytochemical, pharmarcognostic and microscopy analysis were carried out on the leaves of Clerodendrum polycephalum Baker in order to determine the secondary metabolites present in the plant and the pharmacognostic parameters and microscopic structures of the leaf of the plant. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of carbohydrate, reducing sugar, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, resins, balsams, alkaloid and phlobatannins and the absence of monosaccharide, combined reducing sugar, pentose sugar, ketoses, cardiac glycosides, sterols, flavonoids aglycone and anthraquinone. The pharmacognostic analysis for moisture content and extractive values showed moisture content of 7.4%, and alcohol and water extractive value of 23.00% and 22.67% respectively. Microscopic studies revealed the presence of anomocytic Stomata on the lower surface and absence of it on the upper surface. The thin layer chromatographic study showed 5 spots for the hexane extract, 4 spots for ethyl acetate extract, while the methanol extract gave 3 spots. The information obtained would be useful for the authentication of the plant leaf samples, and in development of monograph for the plant.

Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical Standardization and Phytochemical Analysis of leaves of Cultivated Crotalaria lachnosema Stapf.

Towards authentication and quality assurance of medicinal plants, pharmacognostic, physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies of the leaves of Crotolaria lachnosema Stapf. were carried out. The macroscopic and microscopic evaluation revealed characters that are of diagnostic value and useful in authentication of the plant. The Physicochemical analyses reveals values for moisture content, alcohol extractive, water extractive and total ash which are within the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for crude drug from medicinal plants. Phyto-screening for secondary metabolites revealed the presence of saponins, terpenes/steroids, flavonoids, resins and balsams, while alkaloids, glycosides and tannins were absent. Information obtained from these studies can be used as markers in the identification and standardization of this plant as a herbal remedy and also towards monograph development on the plant.