Crude drug analysis and elemental content of the leaves and stem bark of Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae), an indigenous Ghanaian medicinal plant
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2021.8.2.1027Keywords:
Adansonia digitata, Baobab, Macroscopic evaluation, Microscopic evaluation, Mineral content, Herbal remedyAbstract
Adansonia digitata L. is a tree indigenous to Ghana and West Africa. It is traditionally used for medicinal, religious and nutritional purposes. Different parts of the plant are used traditionally for the treatment of diseases such as anaemia, malaria, asthma and diarrhoea among others. It is therefore necessary to provide standard parameters for identification and for the purpose of quality control. This study thus sought to investigate the pharmacognostic characteristics and elemental properties of the leaves and stem bark of A. digitata grown and used in Ghana. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, phytochemical, physicochemical, fluorescence and elemental properties of the leaf and stem bark were determined using standard protocols. The results of the study showed that the leaves of A. digitata were palmate compound and alternately arranged with stipules at each node. The outer bark was observed to be grey in color while the inner bark was pink to brown and laticiferous. Anomocytic stomata and stellate trichomes were also observed microscopically on the leaf surface. The powdered stem bark contained brachysclereids and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals. Saponins, tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids were detected in both leaf and stem bark. They additionally exhibited different fluorescence characters in various solvents. The plant contained major and minor nutritional elements in varying quantities. The results of this study can serve as reliable parameters for accurate identification and authentication of A. digitata L. hence ensuring quality.
Downloads
References
Kumar S, Dobos GJ, Rampp T. The significance of Ayurvedic medicinal plants. J Evidence-Based Complement Altern Med. 2017;22(3):494–501. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587216671392
Wickens GE, Burkill HM. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Vol. 41, Kew Bulletin. 1986. p. 471. https://doi.org/10.2307/4102963
Yu F, Takahashi T, Moriya J, Kawaura K, Yamakawa J, Kusaka K, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine and kampo: A review from the distant past for the future. J Int Med Res. 2006;34(3):231–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/147323000603400301
Mahwasane ST, Middleton L, Boaduo N. An ethnobotanical survey of indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants used by the traditional healers of the Lwamondo area, Limpopo province, South Africa. South African J Bot [Internet]. 2013;88:69–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2013.05.004
Boadu AA, Asase A. Documentation of herbal medicines used for the treatment and management of human diseases by some communities in southern Ghana. Evidence-based Complement Altern Med. 2017;2017:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3043061
Lisao K, Geldenhuys CJ, Chirwa PW. Assessment of the African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) populations in Namibia: Implications for conservation. Glob Ecol Conserv [Internet]. 2018;14:e00386. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2018.e00386
Rahul J, Jain MK, Singh SP, Kamal RK, Anuradha, Naz A, et al. Adansonia digitata L. (baobab): A review of traditional information and taxonomic description. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2015;5(1):79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2221-1691(15)30174-X
Mashapa C, Zisadza-Gandiwa P, Gandiwa E, Kativu S. Abundance and structure of African Baobab (Adansonia digitata) across different soil types in Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe. Int J Biodivers. 2013;2013:1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/874713
Venter SM, Glennon KL, Witkowski ETF, Baum D, Cron G V, Tivakudze R, et al. Baobabs (Adansonia digitata L.) are self-incompatible and ‘male’ trees can produce fruit if hand-pollinated. South African J Bot [Internet]. 2017;109:263–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.007
Sidibe M, Scheuring JF, Tembely D, Sidibe MM, Hofman P, Frigg M. Baobab - Homegrown vitamin C for Africa. Agrofor Today. 1996;8:13–15.
Abbiw DK. Traditional and Religious plants of West Africa. 2nd ed. Accra: Smartline Publishers; 2015.
Hankey A. Adansonia digitata A L. [Internet]. 2004. http://pza.sanbi.org/adansonia-digitata
De Caluwé E, Halamová K, Van Damme P. Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.): A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Afrika Focus. 2010;23(1):11–51. https://doi.org/10.21825/af.v23i1.5037
Sidibe M, Williams JT. Baobab. Adansonia digitata L. Hughes A, Haq N, Smith RW, editors. International Centre for Underutilised Crops. Southampton, UK; 2002. 99 p.
Fatema S, Rode P, Jadhav SB, Farooqui M. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic study of fibrous part of Adansonia digitata fruit using microwave extraction techniques. Der Pharm Lett. 2015;7(5):341–47.
Kamatou GPP, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM. An updated review of Adansonia digitata: A commercially important African tree. South African J Bot [Internet]. 2011;77(4):908–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2011.08.010
Ajaiyeoba E, Ashidi J, Abiodun O, Okpako L, Ogbole O, Akinboye D, et al. Antimalarial ethnobotany: In vitro antiplasmodial activity of seven plants identified in the Nigerian Middle Belt. Pharm Biol. 2004;42(8):588–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200490902455
Adesanya SA, Idowu TB, Elujoba AA. Antisickling activity of Adansonia digitata. Planta Med. 1988;54(4):374. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-962472
Sundarambal M, Muthusamy P, Radha R, Jerad Suresh A. A review on Adansonia digitata Linn. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2015;4(4):12–16. https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2015/vol4issue4/PartA/4-3-70.pdf
Mpiana PT, Makelele LK, Oleko RW, Bokota MT, Tshibangu DST, Ngbolua KN. Antisickling activity of medicinal plants used in the management of sickle cell disease in the Tshopo district, DR Congo. Aust J Med Herbal. 2010;22(4):132. https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA254971793&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=10338330&p=HRCA&sw=w
Ebaid H, Bashandy SAE, Alhazza IM, Hassan I, Al-Tamimi J. Efficacy of a methanolic extract of Adansonia digitata leaf in alleviating hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress of diabetic rats. Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2835152
Mpiana P. Antisickling activity and membrane stabilizing effect of anthocyanins extracts from Adansonia digitata L. barks on sickle blood cells. Int Blood Res Rev. 2014;2(5):198–212. https://doi.org/10.9734/IBRR/2014/10539
Ibrahim AY, Mahmoud MG, Asker MMS. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of polysaccharide from Adansonia digitata: An in vitro study. Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res. 2014;25(2):174–82. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1061.1920&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Vimalanathan S, Hudson J. Multiple inflammatory and antiviral activities in Adansonia digitata (Baobab) leaves, fruits and seeds. JMed Plants Res. 2009;(3):576–82.
Masola SN, Mosha RD, Wambura PN. Assessment of antimicrobial activity of crude extracts of stem and root barks from Adansonia digitata (Bombacaceae) (African baobab). African J Biotechnol. 2009;8(19):5076–83. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajb/article/view/65227
Yusha’ M, Hamza MM, Abdullahi N. Antibacterial activity of Adansonia digitata stem bark extracts on some clinical bacterial isolates. Int J Biomed Heal Sci [Internet]. 2010;6(3):129–35.
Ai-Qarawi A, Al-Damegh M, EI-Mougy S. Hepato Protective Influence of Adansonia digitata Pulp. J Herbs, Species, Med Plants. 2003;10:3. https://doi.org/10.1300/J044v10n03_01
Ghoneim MAM, Hassan AI, Mahmoud MG, Asker MS. Protective effect of Adansonia digitata against Isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury in rats. Vol. 27, Animal Biotechnology. 2016. p. 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/10495398.2015.1102147
Dan S, Dan SS. Phytochemical study of Adansonia digitata, Coccolora exoriata, Psychotria adenophylla and Schleichera oleosa. Fitoterapia. 1986;(62):445–46.
Samatha T, Shama N, Chandrakala G, Thirupathi K, Rama Swamy N. Antibacterial activity of Adansonia digitata L.: A globally endangered tree. Int J Pharmacogn Phytochem Res. 2018; 9(11):9–12. https://doi.org/10.25258/phyto.v9i11.11183
Braca A, Sinisgalli C, De Leo M, Muscatello B, Cioni P, Milella L, et al. Phytochemical profile, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) from Mali. Molecules. 2018;23(12):3104. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23123104
Osman MA. Chemical and nutrient analysis of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit and seed protein solubility. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2004;59(1):29–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-004-0034-1
Oppong Bekoe E, Dodoo KB, Kitcher C, Gordon A, Frimpong-Manso S, Schwinger G. Pharmacognostic characteristics and mutagenic studies of Alstonia boonei De Wild. Res J Pharmacogn. 2020;7(1):7–15. https://doi.org/10.22127/rjp.2019.204629.1526
Chanda S. Importance of pharmacognostic study of medicinal plants: An overview. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2014;2(5):69–73.
Oppong Bekoe E, Kitcher C, Amponsah Agyei G, Frimpong-Manso S. Pharmacognostic characteristics of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. as a means of monitoring quality. Res J Pharmacogn. 2020;7(3):55–63. http://doi.org/10.22127/rjp.2020.220695.1560
Mireku-Gyimah NA, Sarpong K, Amponsah IK, Mensah AY, Dickson RA. Comparative pharmacognostic studies of two ghanaian medicinal plants: Saba senegalensis and Saba thompsonii. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2018;9(4):1451–61. https://doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.9(4).1451-61
Muthai KU, Karori MS, Muchugi A, Indieka AS, Dembele C, Mng’omba S, et al. Nutritional variation in baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit pulp and seeds based on Africa geographical regions. Food Sci Nutr. 2017;5(6):1116–29. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.502
Khandelwal KR. Practical pharmacognosy. 19th Editi. Vol. 68, The Analyst. Pragati Books Pvt Ltd; 2008.
Mukherjee P. Quality Control of Herbal Drugs. 1st ed. New Delhi: Business Horizons; 2002.
WHO. Quality control methods for medicinal plant materials: Updated edition. Geneva: WHO Press; 2011.
Patwekar SL, Suryawanshi AB, Gaikwad MS, Pedewad SR, Potulwar AP. Standardization of herbal drugs: an overview. Pharma Innov J. 2015;4(9):100-04. https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2016/vol5issue4/PartB/5-3-13.pdf
Gunavathy SK, Sherine HB. Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation, Fluorescence analysis and Determination of Ash Content of leaf extracts. Int J Pharm Biol Sci. 2019;9(2):1053–61.
Ranjith D. Fluorescence analysis and extractive values of herbal formulations used for wound healing activity in animals. J Med Plants Stud. 2018;6(2):189–92. https://www.plantsjournal.com/archives/2018/vol6issue2/PartC/6-2-41-134.pdf
Frimpong-Manso S, Tetteh M-AG, Hevi D, Dombi G, Nyarko AK, Boamah D, et al. Bioinorganic elemental content of the Ghanaian aphrodisiac medicinal plant, Paullina pinnata Linn. (Sapindaceae). African J Pharm Pharmacol. 2016;10(11):206–11. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPP2015.4417
Alam F, Saqib QNU. Pharmacognostic study and development of quality control parameters for fruit, bark and leaf of Zanthoxylum armatum (Rutaceae). Anc Sci Life. 2015;34(3):147–55. https://doi.org/10.4103/0257-7941.157159
Sharma S, Shukla VJ, Harisha CR, Patel BR. Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical studies on leaf and Fruit of Adansonia digitata L. J Phytopharm. 2019;8(5):220–25. https://doi.org/10.31254/phyto.2019.8503
Alam F, Najum Q. Pharmacognostic standardization and preliminary phytochemical studies of Gaultheria trichophylla. Pharm Biol [Internet]. 2015;00(00):1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2014.1003355
Prakasia PP, Nair AS. Pharmacognostic and physicochemical standardization of leaves of Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. Pharma Innov J. 2016;5(9):23–30.
Dhanapal V, Samuel Thavamani B, Kumar M, Kumar S. Pharmocognostical and phytochemical evaluation of leaf and stem of Euphorbia hirta. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2017;6(6):255–62.
Zagga AI, Abduljabbar IA, Garko MBA, Tsoho B, Gbande S. Phytochemical composition of Adansonia digitata L. leaf extracts. In: Proceeding of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference. 2018. p. 300–4.
Jyothsna S, Manjula G, Suthari S, Nageswara Rao AS. Qualitative elemental analysis of selected potential anti-asthmatic medicinal plant taxa using EDXRF technique. Heliyon [Internet]. 2020;6(2):e03260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03260
Asiedu-Gyekye IJ, Frimpong-Manso S, Awortwe C, Antwi DA, Nyarko AK. Micro-and macroelemental composition and safety evaluation of the nutraceutical Moringa oleifera leaves. J Toxicol. 2014;2014:1–12. Available from https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/786979
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Cindy Kitcher, Nana Ama Mireku-Gyimah, Emelia Oppong Bekoe, Joseph Adusei Sarkodie, Samuel Frimpong-Manso, Gloria Tattah, Memuna Maiga, Tonny Asafo-Agyei
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright and Licence details of published articles
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Open Access Policy
Plant Science Today is an open access journal. There is no registration required to read any article. All published articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC Attribution 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
