L010245358 PDF
L010245358 PDF
L010245358 PDF
e-ISSN: 2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 10, Issue 2 Ver. IV (Mar -Apr. 2015), PP 53-58
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Department of Biology, Sa'adatu Rimi College of Education, P.M.B. 3218, Kumbotso, Kano, State, Nigeria
2
Department of Integrated Sciences, S R C O E., P.M.B. 3218, Kumbotso, Kano, State, Nigeria
I.
Introduction
Worldwide over 80% of the people depend on medicinal plant species to meet their day today
healthcare needs [1] and discourses on the future of traditional medicine in Africa and other indigenous societies
often assume government recognition and integration into the formal health care systems [2]. In certain areas in
Nigeria, the only health care providers close to the people are the traditional medical practitioners [3]. However,
it should be noted that medicinal plant species have also been discovered to have other uses as some could be
used as vegetables, fruits, trees and ornamentals [4]. Plants are valuable resources endowed in Africa and these
resources are widely relied on by rural communities in developing countries because of inefficiencies in service
delivery or because social services and goods are unaffordable. For this reason many people are currently
resorting to traditional medicine for primary health care due to high costs in accessibility, cultural compatibility
and self-reliance among others [5]. They also employ herbal medicines because of cultural preferences and
perceived effectiveness [6],[7].
Argemone mexicana Linn (Papaveraceae) is a coarse erect herb with milky sap and prickly stems and
leaves. The leaves are somewhat irregularly pinnatilobed and serrate, glaucous, the edges crisped-undulate,
each tooth spinose. The flowers are sessile, yellow, large and up to 6cm broad [8]. It is also an annual herb;
stems branched, sparsely to moderately cover with prickles. The leaves are glabrous, oblong-oblanceolate,
pinnately lobed, both surfaces sparsely covered with prickles, sessile, upper one usually somewhat clasping the
stem. Mature height is about 24 36 or 61cm 91cm [9]. In Northern Nigeria Argemone mexicana is locally
called Karanko, Kwarkwaro or Kaki Ruwan Allah in Hausa [10]. The Hausa traditional healers use a grounded
leaf on swollen area of skin against inflammation of skin. The aim of this study is to establish the macroscopic,
microscopic, chemomicroscopic and quantitative standards of the stem of Argemone mexicana that would be
useful in preparing monograph of the plant.
II.
2.1Plant Collection
The roots of Argemone mexicana were collected in December 2012 from the bush of Tudun Wada in
Zaria. The plant has been identified before collection using the standard method of identification given in the
Flora of West Tropical Africa[11] and Woody Plants of Ghana[12].
2.2Identification
However, confirmation of the identity of the plant was carried out, by the comparing the sample with
the original herbarium specimen placed in the herbarium of the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of
Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and the voucher specimen number was 2439.
DOI: 10.9790/3008-10245358
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III.
Results
3.1Macroscopic Examination
The root is cylindrical in shape or sometimes curved and generally of different sizes, it is grey to darkbrown in colour, the outer surface being dark-brown and inner surface light brown. Detailed description of other
macromorphological characteristics were given in Table 1
3.2Chemomicroscopic Examination
The chemomicroscopic features of the powdered root bark observed were as follows: cork cells,
parenchyma cells (non-lignified), xylem tissue, phloem fibres, sieve tubes, starch grains, secretary tissues
(laticifers) and calcium oxalate crystals (fig.3) These were typical of the powered root bark sample. The
appearance of the laticifers in the sample indicates that this plant contain some latex tissue which is one
characteristic of the Family Papaveraceae. This feature can help in the identification of the root of Argemone
mexicana. The laticifer is articulated anastomizing type, common among members of this family.
3.3Microscopic Examination
Anatomical features observed aids in identifying other significant structures of interest not seen in the
powdered sample, as well as arrangement of these particular structures. These features are the cambium, xylem
tissues (such medullary rays) and the arrangement of the vascular bundles in ring form (Fig. 2). The transverse
section of the root consist of various layers of cells, these are the cork, phellogen, phelloderm, cortex, phloem,
cambium, xylem tissues and the pith. The cork, phellogen, phelloderm and the cortex are broadly referred to as
the periderm, they are at the outside enclosing the vascular tissues, they consists of parenchyma tissues of
various sizes. In this structure the endodermis separate the periderm from the vascular tissue area.
3.4 Quantitative Determinations
The results of quantitative determinations of the powdered vegetable drug is given in table 4
Table 1: results of the macro-morphological features of the roots of A. mexicana
Feature Observation
Size length
7cm 32cm
Width
0.6cm 4cm
Shape
cylindrical (sometimes curved)
Surface
Outer surface dark brown
Inner surface grey light brown.
Colour
grey brown
Fracture
short
Fractured surface
rough
Sensory characters of the Powdered Root
Colour
grey brown
Taste
slightly bitter
Odour
slightly spicy
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smooth
(+) Present
(-) Absent
IV.
Discussion
Macromorphological determinations of the roots of A. Mexicana shows that it is of varied length, darkbrown in colur, cylindrical in shape and at times curved. The presence of laticifers which is articulated
anastomizing was correlated with Watson and Dallwitz[16] who reported that most members of the family
Papaveraceae are characterized by the possession of laticifers located in the leaves, stems, roots, flowers or fruit.
Transverse section of the roots revealed the arrangement of vascular bundles typical of the dicotyledonous and
this indicated that the plant has organized vascular structure.
Chemomicroscopic examinations revealed the presence of chemical constituents such as tannins, fat
and oil, protein, which confirmed the earlier report that some members of the family Papaveraceae contained
alkaloids, glycosides and flavonoid [17], [18]. Quantitative physical determinants of the vegetable drug such as
moisture contents (10.0% w/w) were also low enough not to support the growth of microorganisms that may
lead to the detritions of the vegetable drug (during storage) when compared with documented values in the
pharmacopoeia, for example Digitalis leaf, 6.0%,w/w, and Acacia 15.0%w/w[19], total ash (2.5% w/w), Acidinsoluble ash (5.0% w/w) could serve as a standard in determining the residual substances not volatilize when
the drug is ignited [20]. The results of the extractive values indicated that the chemical constituents in the roots
are more soluble in water (27.0% w/w) than in alcohol (11.0% w/w). This studies is intended to establish a
monograph on the root of A. mexicana
V.
Conclusion
Pharmacognostic studies on the roots of Argemone mexicanaLinn was carried out which revealed the
macroscopic, microscopic, chemomicroscopical and physical quantities determinations of the plant. These
parameters determined would serve in the identification of the plant, quality control and adulteration of this
vegetable drug.
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