PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF THE LEAVES AND GALLS OF GUIERA SENEGALENSIS J.F. Gmel
PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF THE LEAVES AND GALLS OF GUIERA SENEGALENSIS J.F. Gmel
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Date
1993
Authors
ABUBAKAR, YUSUF I.
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Abstract
Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel. (Comoretaceae) is a shrub
in dry Savannah of Sudan Zone. It is also widely distributed
in Northern Nigeria. The specific feature of this plant is
presence of galls on the branches of its stem, An insect
Acaciothrips ebneri, Karny. and a mould fungus of the Fusarium
spp. were found to be associated with the galls and these may
be the cause of this pathological condition (gall).
A detailed microscopical study of the anatomical sections
of the fresh leaf and gall as well as of their powdered forms
was carried out and unique features noted. The qualitative
chemical tests indicated the presence of free and combined
reducing sugars, saponins with steroidal and triterpenoidal
aglycones, flavonoids and alkaloids in the galls. Ellagitannins
and condensed tannins were common to both the leaf and gall,
and gallotannins unique to the gall only. Resins were detected
in the gall. Paper and Thin layer chromatographic studies of
the tannins and sugar extracts of the leaf and the gall revealed
the presence catechol, phloroglucinol,tannic acid and glucose.
A fairly high tannin content was estimated both in the
leaves and the galls. The tannin estimated by hide powder
method (hot leaching) gave 13.8% w/w dry weight and 19.2% w/w
dry weight yield for the leaves and galls respectively.
A systematic evaluative studies of the crude drug were
carried out. The moisture content (11.3% w/v and 8.0% w/v);
total ash (6.3% w/v and 4.4% w/v); acid insoluble ash values
(1.7% w/v and 2.3% w/v); alcohol soluble extractive values
(27/.7% w/v and 18.5% w/v) and water soluble extractive values
(16.8% w/v and 18.8% w/v) were obtained for the leaf and gall
respectively.
The aqueous and water soluble extractives of methanol
extracts of the roasted and unroasted galls exhibited some
antimicrobial effects against Streptococcus pyogens,
Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia colt,while Candida-albicans
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were less sensitive. The a queous and
water soluble extractives of the methanol extracts of the
unroasted galls were more active. These antimicrobial properties
may explain the basis for the use of the galls in treatment
of skin diseases and wound infections by traditional healers in
Northern Nigeria.
finally, the various results and data derived from this
study would be useful in preparation of pharmacopoeial monograph
of G. senegalensis.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
PHARMACOGNOSY.
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACOGNOSY AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT,
FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA - NIGERIA.
Keywords
PHARMACOGNOSTIC,, EVALUATION,, LEAVES,, GALLS,, GUIERA SENEGALENSIS,, Gmel.