The Pharmacognostic Study of Leaves and Stems of Plant Clematis hedysarifolia DC.

 

Sonali R. Gawali¹*, Jitendra Y. Nehete², Minal Narkhede³

¹Department of Pharmacognosy, MVPs College of Pharmacy, Gangapur Road, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.

²Department of Pharmacognosy, MGVs Pharmacy College, Panchvati Maharashtra, Nashik, India.

³Department of Pharmaceutics, SMBT College of Pharmacy, Nandi Hills, Dhamangaon, Maharashtra Nashik.

 

ABSTRACT:

Objective: To set up quality control limitations of a vernacular medicinal plant, Clematis hedysarifolia DC this is exploited as traditional medicine by Maharashtra tribes. Methods: Pharmacognostic estimations were carried out which focused on microscopic, macroscopic, organoleptic, and physicochemical evaluations of leaves and stems. Organoleptically Macroscopic characterization performed. Qualitative and quantitative Microscopic study performed using microscopy. Stems and leaves qualitatively evaluated for type of stomata, epidermal cells, trichomes, palisade cells, spongy parenchyma, vascular system, epidermis and pith. In Quantitative evaluations leaf constants determined. In physicochemical evaluations ash value, moisture constant and extractive value determined. This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of Clematis hedysarifolia DC.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION: 

Therapeutic plants are playing extremely dynamic function in traditional medicine for cure of a variety of ailments¹. However a key hindrance, which has stuck the promotion in use of different medicines in the urban countries, is no proof of documentation and lack of stringent quality control procedures. There is a need for the documentation of all research work carried out on traditional medicines. With this weak point, it turns into very vital to make surety approximately the standardization of plant and parts of plant for use as amedicinal drug. For the method of standardization, we can use different techniques and methodology to complete our aim in the stepwise manner e.g. pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies. These steps and processes are supportive in identification and standardization of plant material. Exact categorization and quality assurance of preliminary material is a crucial step to ensure reproducible quality of herbal medicine which will help us to substantiate its safety and efficacy^2,3,4,5.

 

For this reason we have done pharmacognostic studies of Clematis hedysarifolia DC.

 

In the present studies we have focus our investigations on one of the frequently available plant in Maharashtra i.e. Clematis hedysarifolia DC. having family Ranunculaceae. Clematis hedysarifolia is medicinally important plant which is used by tribals (Warli,Thakar and Kokana) Maharashtra. They have been use this plant for epilepsy, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic, another uses of Clematis are antimicrobial, rheumatism, headache, varicose veins, syphilis, gout, bone disorders, skin conditions, fluid retention, blisters, wounds, ulcers, when applied to the skin^2,3. The leaves of Clematis hedysarifolia and Dioscorea when crushed together and 2 to 3 drops of liquid is put in the nose for management of epilepsy^2,3. Clematis has several species in different parts of India. This plant is less explored and hence an attempt is made to evaluate clematis hedysarifolia pharmacognostically with special reference to macroscopy, microscopy and powder microscopy of leaves and stem.

 

Classification of this plant is as follows:

 

Kingdom-Plantae

Subdivision- Tracheophyta

Class-Dicotyledons (Magnoliopsida)

Order-Ranales

Family-Ranunculaceae

Subfamily-Ranunculoideae

Genus- Clematis

Species- Clematis hedysarifolia

Fig. 1 Clematis hedysarifolia plant

 

Ayurveda states that roots of Clematis species are antimalerial and can be used for headache. Literature has describes that leaf and stem juice can be used for treating infectious old wounds, Leprosy, blood diseases, dermatitis and even as an wound healing agent^6,7. Root and stem paste can be used for Skin disorders and allergies. It tends to have diuretic activity and is effective against sexually transmitted infections. Leaves and Flowers have characteristic and aromatic odour. Leaves are dark green color with dimensions as 3 to 8cm in length and 2-5 cm wider. Stems are cylindrical green in color with some purplish tinch and are about few meters in length. Some leaves have tendrils at stalks, for providing support to the climber. Flowers are white, aromatic with Racemes type of inflorescence and they are aggregated. Flowering is observed in the rainy season. Fruits are aggregates of achenes^{8, 9}.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Chemicals:

All analytical grade chemicals used in this study were purchased from modern science Nashik, Maharashtra, India. Phloroglucinol, conc. Hydrochloric acid, chloral hydrate, H₂SO₄, NaOH, FeCl3, distilled water, glycerine water, and potassium hydroxide.

 

 

Procurement of plant:

The fresh plant of Clematis hedysarifolia will be collected from area of Trimbakeshwar, District Nashik. Efforts were made to collect the materials during the flowering and fruiting season for proper botanical identification. The plant material was identified by Botanical survey of India, western regional centre, koregaon road, Pune and voucher specimen was placed in the department for the future reference (Voucherref.no.SRG-1).

 

Processing of the plant material:

The whole plant was washed and 3/4th part was shade dried and then pulverized while 1/4th part was subjected to separation of its different parts i.e. leaves and stems.

 

Pharmacognostic study:

Macroscopic and organoleptic Charcterization:

Different macroscopic parameters of stem and leaves were noted for odor, color, taste, shape and texture. Leaves evaluation include absence or presence of petioles and different characters of lamina i.e. shape indentations, base, texture, venations, apex¹⁰.

 

Microscopic evaluations:

Transverse section of leaves and stems of the plant were taken and photomicrographs were done after proper staining and mounting according to standard procedure. All evaluations were performed on compound microscope¹⁰.

 

Powdered microscopy:

Shade dried leaves and stem were finely powdered and studied under microscope. Small quantity of leaves and stem powder was placed separately on slides and every slide was added 2-3 drops of chloral hydrate and also stain with staining reagent. Every slide was covered with cover slip then examined under microscope. Different cell components i.e. cork cells, sieve tubes fibers, lignified fibers, and cells of cork, cortex, epidermis, and stomata were noted and photography was done by using digital camera¹⁰.

 

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Table 1 Result of Macroscopy

Part of Plant	Observations
Leaves	Leaflets are widely ovate to elliptical and at base they have three- lobed arrangement.
	Margin is entirely crenate with glabrous adaxial surface.
	Lamina is Oval Lanceolate in shape with sharp apex, dark green and it has symmetrical base.
	Venation is Pinnately Reticulate and many starting veins near base.
	Arrangement of leaves is opposite in nature.
Stem	Cylindrical, woody with pungent odor Matured branches are brown in color and are of fibrous nature.

 

Microscopical Investigation:

Leaf- Epidermis is single layer on both the surfaces covered with cuticle layer. Epidermal cells are polygonal with wavy anticlinal walls on upper surface with wavy cuticle layer and anomocytic type of stomata on both surfaces. Lower surface epidermal cell are wavier as compared to upper surface and has straighter cuticle layer. It has glandular along with non-glandular cells. Mesophyll cells are Dorsiventral in nature. Pallisade cells are non-continuous in the midrib region and have columnar straight walled cells which are closely packed with narrow intercellular spaces. Spongy Parenchyma tissue are thin walled, rounded, irregular to ovoid in appearance. Vascular bundle are present at the midrib region.Pericyclic fibre is present around the vascular bundle. Conjoint, collateral type of Vascular bundle is present. Xylem present towards upper side and phloem towards lower side (figure no.2).

 

Fig. 2 T.S. of Midrib region of leaf

 

Stem- Transverse section of stem shows presence of 7-8 epidermal layers on outer surface. Epidermal cells are polygonal with anticlinal wavy walls. There is presence of drop shaped vascular bundle. Vascular bundles are continuous rings transverse by medullary rays. The pericycle is formed of an interrupted ring of fibers. The large groups of lignified fiber crowning the vascular bundles, alternating with thick walled, pitted parenchyma cells. The vascular system is formed of a continuous ring of vascular tissue transversed by 2-3 cells wide medullary rays. Xylem consists of lignified thick walled redially arranged elements, transversed by 2-3 cells wide medullary rays with lignified pitted walls. Vessels are in small radially arranged groups. They have pitted and annular thickening. Phloems are thin walled containing cellulose. Pith having parenchymatous cells with lignified pitted walls.

 

Fig. 3 T.S. of Midrib region of Stem

 

Powder Characterization:

Leaf and stem powder was mounted in glycerine and stained with Phloroglucinol and hydrochloric acid. Powder characterics shows epidermal cells of leaflet,anomocytic stomata, lignified pitted vessels, and unicellular trichomes.stem powder shows presence of epidermal cells,pitted vessels, fibres and pith cells.

 

Figure 4 leaf powder characteristics 1-5

 

Figure 5 Stem powder characterization 1-3

 

CONCLUSION:

This study provides detail description on the Microscopy of Clematis hedysarifolia Dc as one of the standardization parameter. Adulteration can be studied with the help of this observations. Phytochemical investigation can be carried out. Further, isolation techniques for the phytoconstituent can be performed and formulations can be developed.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I would like to thank Management of Mahatma Gandhi Vidyamandir Pharmacy College Panchavati Nashik for their kind support during research studies.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

No conflicts of interest regarding this investigation.

 

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Accepted on 03.06.2022           © RJPT All right reserved

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2023; 16(3):1375-1378.