African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (9), pp. 957-959, September 2005          
ISSN 1684–5315 © 2005 Academic Journals

Short Communication

Pharmacognostic investigation on fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of leaf of Mitracarpus vilosus (S.W) D.C was carried out to determine its macromorphological, micromorphological and chemomicromorphological profiles. Qualitative and quantitative studies indicated presence of amphicribal vascular bundle arrangement, characteristic asperites, cone-shaped clothing trichomes, simple leaf arrangement lanceolate shape, entire margin, cuneate base, parallel venation and opposite/decussate arrangement. Other features include presence of calcium oxalate crystals, lignin and oil globules with palisade ratio of 4 – 7 and stomatal number of 13.5. The relative similarities between the members of the Spermacoceae tribe, to which the plant belongs, coupled with lack of information towards monograph preparation on the plant necessitated this investigation. These findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity, quality and classification of the plant which is gaining relevance in plant drug research.

 Key words: Mitracarpus vilosus, pharmacognostic standardization, leaf morphology, monograph.