Comparative pharmacognostic and antimicrobial studies on leaves of two varieties of Heinsia crinita

Abstract

Heinsia crinita (Rubiaceae) is classified as dark and white varieties in Akwa Ibom State, though the two varieties appear macroscopically indistinguishable. However, microscopical examination of the leaves of the two varieties was executed by adopting standard microscopic methods like surface preparation, transverse section and powder clearing to reveal some discrepancies in stomatal types,
occurrence of vascular bundles and presence and absence of sclereids. The stomatal number, stomatal index and palisade ratio showed disparate values for both varieties. The total ash, sulphated ash and acid insoluble ash values also gave disparity to further distinguish the two varieties and ostensibly justify their classification as dark and white varieties. This finding will aid proper identification and collection. In vitro antimicrobical assay using agar gel-diffusion method was also carried out on the leaves of the two varieties to determine differences in their antimicrobial activities: Dark variety showed both antibacterial and anti fungal activities while the white variety yielded only the antibacterial activity.



KEY WORDS: Heinsia crinita, dark and white varieties, antimicrobial activities, Pharmacognostic studies.


(Global J Med Sci: 2003 2(1): 49-57)