Micromorphological and Pharmacognostic Standardization of Daphne
mucronata Royle Leaf: An Anticancer Plant
Abstract
Herbal medicines are non-toxic, low-cost and have
no side effects. They are successful in treating a variety of ailments,
but due to a lack of documentation and strict quality control, they
remain unsatisfactorily. Daphne mucronata Royle belongs to
Thymelaeaceae, proved to be a vital anticancer plant, yet there is no
report on its standardization. Therefore, the study was made in order to
fix the micromorphological and pharmacognostic standards for the leaf.
Morpho-anatomical examination revealed useful information for the
identification. The results of macromorphological gave a base for the
use of leaf of D. mucronata which having gray green color,
characteristic unlikable odor and unpleasant taste. The Scanning
Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Light microscopy (LM), showed
characteristics features of the leaf resembled with other family
members. The SEM study revealed a unique crystal, which has never been
seen before in the genus. The leaves surface features depicted
ranunculacious, paracytic, and diacytic stomata. Extractive values
determination, fluorescence, and UV analysis were carried out. The
phytochemicals tests showed the presence of fats, terpenoids, cardiac
glycosides, amino acids, saponins, tannins (70 %), reducing sugars,
mucilages, phenolics (55 %), proteins, flavonoids (52.5 %), volatile
oils, and starch. These phytochemicals are accountable for the
pharmacological potential of this plant. Elemental analysis, nutritional
analysis, and oil extraction was done following standards methods. These
provide the standard parameters for the genuineness of the leaves. These
informations will assist in the authentication and consistent quality,
resulting in the safe use and preservation of this plants’ efficacy.