Pharmacognostic Standardization and Chemical Study of Euphorbia nutans Lag. Euphorbiaceae

Aims: This study was designed to set macro/micro morphological standards, phytochemical and physicochemical parameters for the identification of E. nutans, a traditional remedy for the management of many disesases.

Study Design: To establish pharmacognostic standards for proper identification of E. nutans and also study its phytochemicals using Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Place and Duration: This work was undertaken at the Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria for three month spanning from April through June, 2022.

Methodology: Examination of microscopic characters, venation, chemomicroscopy, micromeritic properties, fluorescence analysis and phytochemical profiling using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were carried out.

Results: Epidermal cell shapes were irregular with undulate-sinuous anticlinal walls. Stomatal distribution was amphistomatic with anisocytic and anomocytic stomata on both surfaces. Areolation was quadrangular, linear and biforked vein termination. The fluorescence characteristics showed the presence of different colours supporting the presence of various phytoconstituents for both leaf and stem. The flow properties for both leaf and stem were poor while GC-MS analysis of the dichloromethane extracts revealed lupeol (64.05%), 2-methylhexacosane (9.37%), stigmasterol (4.16%) and campesterol (1.29%) as major components in the leaf while campesterol (0.67%), stigmasterol (2.15 %), beta.-sitosterol (6.22%), lupeol (9.85%) and vitamin E (1.05%) for the stem extract.

Conclusion: The results of the study could be useful for correct identification, standardization and preparation of monograph.