Veinlet Termination Number Research Articles

English

Microtrichia perotitii DC. belongs to the family Asteraceae (Compositeae) and it is a herb found in the West African countries. The aim of this research was to establish pharmacognostic standards for M. perotitii through macroscopic, microscopic, chemo-microscopic and physico-chemical investigations. The macroscopic studies revealed the shape of the leaf as small with acute apex, asymmetric base, pubescent surface with long petiole and a serrated margin. Organoleptically, the leaf is green, slightly bitter and pepperish with an unpleasant odour. The microscopic studies of the leaf showed epidermal cells with irregularly thickened walls, numerous anomocytic stomata, and multicellular covering trichomes on both upper and lower epidermis. The transverse section of the leaf showed that it was dorsiventral with separated elements of vascular bundle. The powdered leaf revealed calcium oxalate crystals (prism and rosette), starch (oval) and xylem (spiral). Quantitative-leaf microscopy revealed the leaf constants as palisade ratio (3.2-3.4); stomatal number (258-285); stomatal index (19.5-24.7); vein-islet number (6.0-8.0) and vein-let termination number (8.0-11.0). The physico-chemical constants of the leaf showed moisture content (12.67 %), total ash (20.33 %), acid –insoluble ash (27.3 %), water- soluble ash (81.18 %), water extractive values (40.9 %) and alcohol extractive values (25.45 %). This is the first time the pharmacognostic parameters of the leaf of M. perotitii were studied and it will be quite useful for its identification, standardization and inclusion in various pharmacopoeias. Key words: Microtrichia perotitii, macroscopical, microscopical, physico-chemical, pharmacognostic.

PHARMACOGNOSTIC STANDARDIZATION OF THE LEAF OF MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA (MAIDEN & BETCHE) CHEEL.

Background:Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae) is a well-known, commonly used, tall shrub plant in Ayurvedic medicine. Traditionally, it is used for its antimicrobial potential to treat cutaneous infections. No attempts have been made regarding pharmacognostic investigation of the plant till date. So, the present study was aimed to establish standards with the help of different pharmacognostic parameters.Methods:Various pharmacognostic parameters (morphological, microscopic, physicochemical evaluations and preliminary phytochemical screening) were studied along with fluorescent and thin layer chromatographic analysis of the extract.Result:Morphologically Melaleuca alternifolia is a shrub having height of 7 m with layered and papery bark. Leaves have an arranged pattern, petiole is 1 mm in length; linear-acute with dimensions of 10-35 mm x 1 mm. Organoleptic features shows that leaves have characteristic odour and astringent taste. The transverse section of the leaf reveals the existence of epidermal layers, mesophyll tissues, vascular bundles and secretory cavities. The stomata are anomocytic and leaf constants such as stomatal number is 180-200-225, stomatal index is 3.8-4.4-5.9, vein islet number is 18.68 (average), veinlet termination number 20.3 (average) and palisade ratio is 5.5-6.4-6.9. The results of phytochemical screening showed the occurrence of different phytoconstituents (flavonoids, phenolic tannins, phytosterol and terpenoids).Conclusion:The present study evaluated various pharmacognostic parameters which will help in quality control (standardization) of Melaleuca alternifolia leaves in crude form, in herbal formulation and also aid in the preparation of an herbal monograph for the species.

Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and In Vitro antiglycation studies on the leaf extracts of Hibiscus micranthus Linn.

The aim of the present study was to carry out powder analysis, fluorescence analysis, microscopic study, physico chemical analysis, total flavonoid and phenolic content and in vitro antiglycation studies for the leaf aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Hibiscus micranthus Linn. by serum albumin assay. The results of powder analysis indicated that the powder with ferric chloride solution showed mustard green colour, under UV powder with ferric chloride showed brown colour. The total ash value 75%w/w, acid insoluble ash 25%w/w, water soluble ash 35%w/w and sulphated ash 15%w/w respectively. The water soluble extractive value 2.2%w/w, alcohol soluble extractive 19.3%w/w and the result of loss on drying were found to be 9.33%w/w. The microscopic study observations were presence of stellate 3–4 armed trichomes, anisocytic stomata, mucilaginous parenchyma, lignified libiform xylem vessels and Ca.oxalate druse crystals. The leaf constant values include stomatal index of upper and lower epidermis to be 4.66, 4.15, palisade ratio 9, vein islet number 12, veinlet termination number to be 9. The length and width of xylem vessels to be 15.75μ, 117.62 μ. The length and width of trichomes was found to be 30.6 μ and 2.87 μ. The results of preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, steroids, cardenolides, coumarin glycosides, reducing sugars, acidic compounds, inulin, waxes and reserpine. The total flavonoid content was more in methanolic extract 104±0.36 mg/g equivalents of rutin. The phenolic content was also more in methanolic extract 52.76±0.67 mg/g equivalents of rutin. The methanolic extract exhibited significant in vitro antiglycation activity at 1000 μg/ml 95.6%±0.0025** equivalent to standard drug rutin. Therefore the individual phytoconstituents from the extracrs can be further explored and studied for the activity.

Characterization of Mangifera indica cultivars in Thailand based on macroscopic, microscopic, and genetic characters.

Thai mango cultivars are classified into six groups plus one miscellaneous group according to germplasm database for mango. Characterization is important for conservation and the development of Thai mango cultivars. This study investigated macroscopic, microscopic leaf characteristics, and genetic relationship among 17 cultivars selected from six groups of mango in Thailand. Selected mango samples were obtained from three different locations in Thailand (n = 57). They were observed for their leaf and fruit macroscopic characteristics. Leaf measurement for the stomatal number, veinlet termination number, and palisade ratio was evaluated under a microscope attached with digital camera. DNA fingerprint was performed using CTAB extraction of DNA and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) amplification. Forty-five primers were screened; then, seven primers that amplified the reproducible band patterns were selected to amplified and generate dendrogram by Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Average. These selected 17 Thai mango cultivars had individually macroscopic characteristics based on fruits and leaves. For microscopic characteristics, the stomatal number, veinlet termination number, and palisade ratio were slightly differentiable. For genetic identification, 78 bands of 190-2660 bps were amplified, of which 82.05% were polymorphic. The genetic relationship among these cultivars was demonstrated and categorized into two main clusters. It was shown that ISSR markers could be useful for Thai mango cultivar identification.

Pharmacognostic Standardization of the Leaves and Root Bark of Caesalpinia benthamiana

Caesalpinia benthamiana (Baill.) Herend. and Zarucchi (Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill.) (Caesalpiniaceae) has been traditionally used in management of erectile dysfunction, dysentery, urethral discharges, skin diseases and wounds. Despite a long tradition of use in the treatment of various ailments, no systematic pharmacognostic standardization work has been carried out on C. benthamiana. One major obstacle in the systematic exploration of the plant may be the non-availability of authentic plant material. In the present investigation, various pharmacognostic standards for the plant have been generated including the macro and micro morphological studies, one of the WHO accepted parameters for identification of medicinal plants by way of establishing the salient diagnostic characters and constants. This was carried out on the leaves and root bark of C. benthamiana.The leaves were bipinnate, oblong, with entire margin. The apex was obtuse, and possessed a symmetric base and reticulates venation. The terminal leaves were however obovate in shape. Actinocytic and paracytic types of stomata were observed. Trichomes were uniseriate and unicellular and epidermal cells were found to be wavy. Surface data analysis revealed the stomatal index to be 1.69% to 11.11% for the upper surface and 16.94% to 28.52% for the lower surface. Veinislet number was recorded as 12.5 to 16.5 whilst the veinlet termination number was 22.25 to 35 with palisade ratio ranging between 11.25 and 13.75. The water- soluble extractive value was 9.2% and 3.7% for the leaves and root bark respectively. Whilst the alcohol-soluble extractive value for the leaves was found to be 6.7% and 2.6% for the root bark. The total ash value determinations were observed to be 5.6% for the leaves and 7.9% for the root bark. The result of this study may be useful in setting diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph for the plant.

Veinlet termination number; some further observations.

Summary Veinlet termination numbers for further species of commonly used medicinal leaves, both whole and coarsely ground, are presented. The relationship between veinlet termination number and the number of vein islets per 1 sq. mm. of leaf surface, and between veinlet termination number and leaf area are discussed.

Pharmocognostic studies of <i>JATROPHA Curcas</i> Linn. (Euphorbiaceae)

Jatropha curcas, a multipurpose, drought resistant, perennial plant belonging to Euphorbiaceae family is gaining due to its production of biodiesel. It is a tropical plant that can be grown in low to high rainfall areas either in the farm as a commercial crop or on the boundaries as a hedge to protect fields from grazing animals and to prevent erosion. The macroscopical, microscopical characters and the analytical standards of the plant were determined using standard methods. Macroscopical studies revealed that the petiole shows slight enlargement at the point of attachment. Leaf is dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the ventral surface, alternately arranged on the stem, reticulate venation, and margin palmately lobed. The stem is cylindrical in shape, smooth with spots of brown nodules. The root is cylindrical tapering to the end, and the surface smooth. Daughter roots are present. Microscopical Studies revealed that the powdered leaf possesses anomocytic stomata, prisms of calcium oxalate crystals, and starch grains. The powdered stem and root showed fibres associated with pitted vessels, phloem, xylem, sclereids, and prisms of calcium oxalate.The transverse section of the leaf showed the epidermis covered externally by wavy cuticle, anomocytic stomata, mesophyll consisting of spongy mesophyll composed of parenchyma cells with intercellular air spaces, and palisade mesophyll made up of cylindrical cells. The transverse of the stem and root showed epidermis having thin walls, phloem, xylem, and multiseriated medullary rays containing starch grains. The percentages of total ash for the leaf, stem and root of J. curcas, were 11.45, 5.30 and 6.05; water soluble ash values 5.50, 1.60 and 4.00; sulphated ash values 5.30, 6.00 and 8.90; acid insoluble ash values 0.65, 3.35 and 3.35; water soluble extractive values 2.55, 14.40 and 4.15; alcohol soluble extractive values 3.35, 3.80 and 2.65; moisture contents 12.25, 1.90 and 18.25 respectively. The quantitative analysis of the leaf showed that the palisade ratio is 4.75 ± 1.92; stomatal number, 26.50 ± 1.50; stomatal index, 0.57 ± 0.06; vein- islet, 9.75 ± 3.63 and veinlet termination number, 6.75 ± 2.86.Keywords: Jatropha curcas, Pharmacognostic studies, EuphorbiaceaeJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 3 (2010)

Foliar anatomy on twelve genera of Bignoniaceae (Lamiales)

The foliar anatomy of the 12 genera (16 species) of Bignoniaceae found in West Africa was studied and compared. Observations were carried out by light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Across the family, anatomical characters found to be most useful are: stomata type, trichomes in the adult material, presence of peristomatal folds, type of sinuosity of epidermal anticlinal wall, veinlet termination number, cuticular striation, presence of sclerenchymatous idioblasts in the mesophyll, presence of hypodermis, presence of sclerenchymatous fibres in the ground parenchyma and presence of collenchyma in the outer tissue of petiole. These characters have been used in a key to the species.

Morpho-histologic studies on three herbaceous species of railway track

Changes in the morpholohy and leaf histology ofEuphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae),Boerhavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae), andCleome viscosa L. (Cleomaceae) growing along a particular railway track have been studied in comparison with those individuals of these species growing well away from railway track to evaluate the effects of pollution and physical disturbances created by running of trains. In general, plants growing along the railway track showed a decrease in the size of whole plant, flowers and fruits, root-shoot ratio, length of root-system, stem diameter, fruit setting, and seed output. Also, leaf stomatal frequency, veinislet number and veinlet termination number increased while the palisade ratio decreased.