Pharmacognostic Studies on the Leaves of Annona muricata Linn

Abstract

Introduction: Annona muricata Linn. (Family: Annonaceae) is a well-known traditional and natural medicine over the world; in Malaysia it serves as a treatment for many kinds of diseases. Studies have been reported that A. muricata can be used to treat diseases due to its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antitumor, anthelmintic, analgesic, hypotensive, antiinflammatory, and has immune enhancing properties. Despite having several medicinal functions and properties, however there is no standardization parameters have been reported in the literature for the leaves of A. muricata. Methods: Therefore, through this research study, the macroscopical and microscopical characteristics, physicochemical parameters such as ash values, extractive values, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the leaves were investigated. Results: Based on the observation of the transverse section of the leaves, the presence of upper cuticle, upper epidermis, palisade cells, vascular bundle, spongy mesophyll, phloem fibers, lignified vessels, xylem vessels, collenchyma, lower epidermis, lower cuticle and parenchyma served as important key differentiating features for the studied plant. The powder microscopy revealed the presence of pieces of trichrome, collapsed uniseriate multicellular covering trichrome, spongy mesophyll, phloem fibres, xylem vessels, paracytic stomata and fragment of epidermis showing cell and palisade cell. Calcium oxalate crystals were also observed even though the captured image was slightly unclear. The phytochemical screening of the leaves was carried out using four different extracts which showed the presence of steroids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins carbohydrates and proteins, respectively. Conclusion: Based on this research finding, the pharmacognostic standardization of the plant can be established thus, providing ease in identifying and determining the purity and quality of the investigated plant. Key words: Annona muricata, Fluorescence analysis, Macroscopy, Microscopy, Physicochemical parameters, Preliminary physiochemical screening