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Phyto-anatomical Characteristics of the West African {Umbrella Tree} Musanga cercropioides M. smithii R. Br. (Moraceae)


Affiliations
1 Dept. of Botany & Microbiol, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria
2 Dept. of Pharmacognosy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria
 

Two complimentary studies of anatomy and phytochemistry used in pharmacognostic drug research have been conducted on Musanga cercropiodes using light microscopy and phytochemical methods. Diagnostic anatomical features of the plant include bulbous trichome bases, and flaky strand-like waxes. Other distinguishing features of the plant are hypostomatic leaf, anomocytic stomata, abaxially restricted simple unicellular and non glandular trichomes as well as crescentiform and hairy petiole. The bioactive compounds which are present in both leaf and bark are alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, free and bound anthraquinone, saponin and cardiac glycosides but anthocyanosides and cyanogenic glycosides are absent. Musanga cercropioides is a popular plant in folkloric medication in West Africa.

Keywords

Musanga cercropioides, Phytochemistry, Anatomy
User

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  • Phyto-anatomical Characteristics of the West African {Umbrella Tree} Musanga cercropioides M. smithii R. Br. (Moraceae)

Abstract Views: 390  |  PDF Views: 110

Authors

A. B. Kadiri
Dept. of Botany & Microbiol, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria
G. O. Ajayi
Dept. of Pharmacognosy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract


Two complimentary studies of anatomy and phytochemistry used in pharmacognostic drug research have been conducted on Musanga cercropiodes using light microscopy and phytochemical methods. Diagnostic anatomical features of the plant include bulbous trichome bases, and flaky strand-like waxes. Other distinguishing features of the plant are hypostomatic leaf, anomocytic stomata, abaxially restricted simple unicellular and non glandular trichomes as well as crescentiform and hairy petiole. The bioactive compounds which are present in both leaf and bark are alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, free and bound anthraquinone, saponin and cardiac glycosides but anthocyanosides and cyanogenic glycosides are absent. Musanga cercropioides is a popular plant in folkloric medication in West Africa.

Keywords


Musanga cercropioides, Phytochemistry, Anatomy

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst%2F2009%2Fv2i7%2F29488