Kunle Oluyemisi Folashade, Agbo Mgbeahurike Bonaventure, Okhale Samuel Ehiabhi*, Jegede Ibikunle Adeola and Okogun J. I.
The leaves of the antimalarial wonder plant Hypoestes rosea P. Beauv of the Acanthaceae family was subjected to phytochemical and pharmacognostic investigations to determine its microscopical features, secondary metabolite content and also some of its physical constants. Phytochemical studies of the powdered leaf revealed the presence of terpenes, sterols, balsam, monosaccharides, reducing sugars, tannins, flavonoids and carbohydrates. Moisture content, total ash and acid-insoluble ash values, alcohol soluble and water soluble extractive values were determined and found to be 11.99%, 11.13%, 0.64%, 12.70% and 22.17 % w/w, respectively. The leaf microscopy, reported here for first time, showed wavy walled epidermal cells on both surfaces with abundant distribution of paracytic stomata on the lower surface and short stalked glandular trichomes on the upper surface; wostly oblong cystoliths on both surfaces. Transection of the leaf across the midrib is characterized by meristele consisting of proto and metaxylem vessels preceded by a bundle of phloem cells. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant.
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