Phyto-anatomical characteristics of the West African {Umbrella tree} Musanga cercropioides M.Smithii R. Br. (Moraceae)
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Date
2009
Authors
Kadiri, A. B.
Ajayi, G. O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Indian Society for Education and Environment
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.
Description
Keywords
Musanga cercropioides , phytochemistry , anatomy
Citation
Kadiri, A. B. and Ajayi, G. O. (2009). Phyto-anatomical characteristics of the West African {Umbrella tree} Musanga cercropioides M.Smithii R. Br. (Moraceae). Indian Journal of Science and Technology 2(7): 1 - 5