ISSN: 2231-2560 Research Article Asian Journal of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Research Pharmacognostical and Physico-chemical Standardization of Leaves of Sida acuta *Carol P. Macwan, A. J. Patel, M. A. Patel, K. R.Chauhan and R. P. Solanki Faculty of Pharmacy, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad- 387001. Received: 1 March 2011; Revised: 4 March 2011; Accepted: 7 March. 2011 Abstract: Medicinal plants have shown tremendous potential for the development of the new drug molecules for various diseases. Sida acuta Burm F. (Malvaceae) is a shrubby herb with many branches that have stellate hairs. Traditionally leaves & stems of Sida acuta are used in inflammation, malaria, asthma, as hypoglycemic agent, anti bacterial etc. The plants of Sida acuta Burm F. were collected from botanical garden of faculty of pharmacy, Dharmasinh Desai University. A voucher specimen (FOPDDU/ 05) was submitted to the Department of Pharmacognosy, FOP, DDU, Nadiad. The leaves of Sida acuta were observed morphologically, microscopically and physicochemically.various macroscopically studies of Sida acuta Burm F. like shape, size, type, apex, margin, venation base, petiole, surface, colour, odour and taste were examined. Transeversly the leaf of Sida acuta were examined. Quantitative microscopy of leaves, stomatal no, stomatal index, vein islet no., vein let termination no. and palisade cell ratio were also examined. Results of quantitative microscopy has shown that stomatal index of lower surface, upper surface, vein islets, vein termination and palisade ratio 2.58 to 2.85, 11.8 to 12.5, 2235 to 2245, 1623 to 1633 and 1:10 respectively. Total Ash, Water soluble, Acid insoluble Ash, Water soluble, Alcohol soluble extractive value and loss on drying were 1.73, 0.96, 4.02, 1.35, 2.93, 13.33 %w/w respectively. Key words: Sida acuta Burm F., Pharmacognostical, Physico-chemical INTRODUCTION: Sida acuta Burm is relatively safe, easily available and its activity differs with growing region. Pharmacognostical and Physicochemical standardization of this plant substantiate taxonomical boundaries between the species. This study thus provides a monograph on the plant for its proper identification and detection of adulteration /substitution [1-3]. Traditional drugs have given the important lead in the search of new drugs. Indigenous drug Sida acuta Burm used by different ethnic groups of the world for the treatment of diseases have special significance from long time like antidote in snake biting, antioxidant, anti inflammatory, antibacterial, hypoglycemic and asthma. No scientific work has been carried out on the Leaf of Sida acuta. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to demonstrate scientifically the Pharmacognostical and physicochemical standardization of Sida acuta to determine the quality and purity of crude drug [3-5].
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Collection and Identification: The plants of Sida acuta Burm F. were collected from botanical garden of faculty of pharmacy, Dharmasinh Desai University and identified by Dr. A. M. Patel, principal of J & J college of Science, Nadiad. A voucher specimen (FOP/DDU/05) was submitted to the Department of Pharmacognosy, FOP, DDU, Nadiad. Pharmacognostical Evaluation [6-7] Macroscopical determination:the following macroscopic characters for the fresh leaves were noted: size and shape, colour, surfaces, venation, presence or absence of petiole, the apex, margin, base, lamina, texture, odour and taste. Microscopical determination: The outer epidermal membranous layer (in fragments) were cleared in chloral hydrate, mounted with glycerin and observed under a compound microscope. The presence/absence of the following were observed: epidermal cells, stomata (type and distribution) and epidermal hairs (types of trichomes and distribution). The transverse sections of the fresh leaves through the lamina and the midrib as well as a small quantity of the powdered leaves were also cleared, mounted and observed. Quantitative microscopy: Quantitative leaf microscopy to determine palisade ratio, stomata number, stomata index, vein islet number and veinlet termination number were carried out on epidermal strips. Physico-Chemical Evaluation [8-9] Parameters determined for the powdered leaves were Loss on drying, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, alcohol (90% ethanol) and water-soluble extractive values RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Macroscopical Evaluation: Macroscopic investigations showed simple leaves which were alternate. Leaves are, sessile, and entire petiolate, acute, toothed margin with star like (stellate) hairs, with a pair of curved stipules and a venation that is reticulate (Figure 1). Microscopical Evaluation: Transverse section of the leaf across the midrib (Figure 2) showed an upper epidermis consisting of palisade cells in lamina portion and lower epidermis consists spongy parenchyma. The mid rib bundle was surrounded by a zone of collenchyma on both surfaces. The lignified pericyclic fibre was present below vascular bundle. Stellate trichomes (Fig. 3), glandular trichomes, multicellular as well as single glandular trichomes (Fig.4) are present. Rossets were also present. Anisocytic stomata were found in the surface preparation of leaf (Fig. 5). Quantitative parameters of leaves like stomata index, Vein-islet no., Vein termination no. and palisade ratio are not affected by age of plant, size of leaf, environmental conditions. It is relatively constant. Hence it is more significant in the evaluation of a leaf drug (Table 1). Physico chemical parameters like Ash value shown that presence of inorganic radicals like phosphate, carbonate and silicates. The acid insoluble ash value is more so it indicates that more contamination of metal ions. Data of 58
extractive values shown that the amount of alcohol soluble phytoconstituents is more than water soluble phyto constituents in leaf (Table 2). CONCLUSION: Quantitative parameters of leaves like stomata index and stomata number are not affected by age of plant, size of leaf, environmental conditions. It is relatively constant. Hence it is more significant in the evaluation of a leaf drug. Physico chemical parameters like data of extractive value shown that the important phyto constituents are present in leaf. The acid soluble value is more indicates the more contamination of metal ions. Physico analytical work will be done. Fig. 1: Plant of Sida acuta Fig.2: T. S. of leaf of Sida acuta Fig.3: Multicellular trichome Fig.4: Stellate trichome Fig.5: Anisocytic Stomata 59
Table - 1: Quantitative Microscopy of Leaves of Sida acuta Stomatal Number Upper surface 2500 stomata/sq.mm Lower surface 5000 stomata/sq.mm Stomatal Index Upper surface 11.8 to 12.5 Lower surface 2.58 to 2.85 Vein islet no. Vein termination no. 2235-2245 vein islet/sq.mm 1623-1633 vein termination/sq.mm Palisade ratio. 1:10 Table - 2: Physico-chemical parameters of leaves of Sida acuta Physico-chemical Parameters Total ash value Acid insoluble ash value Water soluble ash value Alcohol-soluble Extractive value Water-soluble Extractive value Loss on drying Values 2.5 % w/w 1.28 %w/w 1.13% w/w 1.91%w/w 1.55%w/w 13.33%w/w REFERENCES: 1. C. N. Boozer, J. A. Naseer, S. B. Hemsfield, et al., Int J Obes.; 2001, 25(3), 316. 2. S. Ghosal, R. R. P. S. Chauhan and R. Mehta, Alkaloids of Sida cordifolia. Phytother Res.;1975, 14, 830. 3. K. R. Kritikar and B. D. Basu; Indian medicinal plant, volume I, 2 nd edition, 2055. 4. K. R. Khandelwal, Practical Pharmacognosy techniques & experiments, 13 th edition, April 2005, 157. 60
5. P. R. Rastogi, B. N. Melhotra, Compendium of Indian Medicinal Plant, volume 2, Central drug research institute, Lucknow and national institute of science communication,1999, 268. 6. R. K. Issar, The botanical identification of market sample of Brahmadandi. Jour. Res. Ind. Med.;1974, 9(1), 92. 7. D. A. Johansen. Plant Microtechnique. New York, McGraw-Hill; 1940,126. 8. Anonymous. Indian Pharmacopoeia vol 2. (Government of India, New Delhi, 1996). 9. http://www.ethnogarden.com/cart/index.pl/catid_86/proid_187/_/_/bala2and4extracts/si dacordifolia. *Correspondence Author: Carol P. Macwan, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad- 387001. 61