PHARMACOGNOSTIC STANDARDIZATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE STEM BARK OF Barteria nigritiana HOOK F. (PASSIFLORACEAE)

Abstract

Barteria nigritiana plays a significant role in Africa in the prevention, management and treatment of ailments such as wounds, microbial infections, pains, and inflammatory disorders. Despite the therapeutic uses, the pharmacognostic features are not on record. The study was designed to standardize the pharmacognostic features of B. nigritiana stem bark. The fresh B. nigritiana stem bark was collected, air-dried under shade for 14 days and examined macroscopically using botanical and organoleptic evaluation. Microscopic, proximate, phytochemical, chemomicroscopic and fluorescence analyses were carried out using standard techniques. The powdered stem bark was extracted exhaustively with 95% methanol by cold maceration. Extraction of powdered stem bark yielded 18 %w/w of dry crude extract respectively. The macroscopic studies were rough dark grey outer surfaces and multiple trunks without thorns. Microscopic studies showed the presence of diamond-shaped calcium oxalate, fibres and phloem parenchyma cells. Chemomicroscopic studies showed the presence of cellulose, tannins, and calcium oxalate. Fluorescence analysis indicated the presence of dark green colour at 254 and deep brown colour at 365 nm. Physicochemical parameters (mg/100g) showed total ash (7.17 ± 0.03), sulphated ash (3.82 ± 0.04), acid insoluble ash (2.25 ± 0.02), alcohol soluble extractive (4.10 ± 0.01) and moisture content (9.0 ± 0.01). The pharmacognostic standards observed in this study will support the quality assurance of B. nigritiana stem bark.