Pharmacognostic Studies of the Leaves of Hyptis Suaveolens Linn. (Labiatae) (Poit)

The pharmacognostic standards of fresh, powdered and transverse sections of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) leaf were carried out to determine its macroscopic, microscopical (both qualitative and quantitative), analytical standards and phytochemical profile. The macroscopy revealed a simple leaf, oppositely arranged along the stem with a dark green colour on the outer surface and pale green on the inner surface, ovate in shape and bilateral base, acute apex with a serrate margin. The qualitative microscopy of the powdered leaf shows xylem vessels parenchymal cells with diacytic type of stomata. Also epidermal cells with stoma wall, polygonal parenchymatous and collenchymatous cells making up the cortex with starch grains; non-glandular uniserate, multicellular septate trichome, irregular shaped prisms of calcium oxalate crystals and small bundle of mucilage cells. The quantitative microscopy of the leaf showed the values of palisade ratio, stomatal number (upper and lower epidermal stomatal index (upper and lower surface), vein-islet number and vein termination number to be 5.10, 50stomata/mm², 80 stomata/mm², 12.33, 23.14, 35/mm² and 20/mm² respectively. For the analytical standards; 9.90 %, 1.67 %, 0.38 % 6.39 %, 0.61 % w/w, 1.16 % w/w, 11.70 % and 7.25% were obtained for total ash, water soluble ash, sulphated ash, acid insoluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive value, water soluble extractive value, moisture content and fibre content respectively. The qualitative phytochemical analysis on Hyptis Suaveolens leaves showed presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugar, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids and saponins. These specific standards obtained are of importance in the establishment of diagnostic indices for the standardization, identification and preparation of monograph on the plant.