ABSTRACT
Microtrichia perotitii DC Asteraceae (Compositeae) is an herb found in the tropical countries. Ethno-medicinally, it is mainly used for the treatment of pain related diseases such as toothaches, cuts and burns and few ailments like rashes, rheumatism, jaundice, stomachaches and diarrhea in children as well as inflammatory diseases. The aim of this research was to establish its pharmacognostic standards for its identification, purity, isolation and charecterisation of its phytoconstituents as well as to evaluate some claims and prove the usage of the herb as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The macroscopical studies revealed the shape of the leaf as small with acute apex, asymmetric base and pubescent surface. The leaf has long petiole and a serrated margin.Organoleptically, the leaf is green, slightly bitter and pepperish with an unpleasant smell. The microscopical studies showed that the leaf of the herb had 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 and has vascular bundle. The powdered leaf showed calcium oxalate crystals (prism and rosette), starch (oval), xylem(spiral) and lignified fibres.Quantitative-leaf microscopy revealed the leaf constants as palisade ratio (3.2-3.4); stomatal number (258-285); stomatal index(19.5-24.7); veinislet (6.0-8.0) and veintlet (8.0-11.0). The physico-chemical constants of the leaf showed moisture content (12.67 %), total ash (20.33 %), acid–in soluble ash (27.3 %),water- insoluble ash (81.18 %) water-soluble (40.9 %) and alcohol-soluble extractives (25.45 %). The results of analgesic studies of the leaf for both crude extracts and solvents fractions showed dosedependent and dose-independent significant (P < 0.001; P< 0.05) inhibitory activities in x mice. Similarly the crude extracts and solvent fractions significantly (P < 0.001; P< 0.05) reduced inflammations in the formalin induced paw oedema in rats. The phytochemical investigation on the leaf revealedthe presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, saponins, carbohydrates and cardiac glycosides. The overall studies lead to the isolation of an αamyrin acetate for the first time from the leaves of Microtrichia perotitii DC.Pharmacognostic parameters observed in this study will quite be useful for identification, standardization, adulteration, development and preparation of crude drug’s formulation and inclusion in various pharmacopoeias for treating ailments. The current observations will help in differentiating the leaf of this species from closely related species of same genus and family.
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