PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE LEAF EXTRACTS OF SENNA SINGUEANA (Delile) Lock (FABACEAE)

Abstract

Introduction: Senna singueana (fabaceae) is a shrub used in traditional medicine to treat 
various illnesses.  
Aim: The aim of the present research is to evaluate pharmacognostic parameters and detect the 
phytochemical constituents in Senna singueana leaves crude extract.   
Study design: Macroscopical, Microscopical, Physicochemical, Chemomicroscopical 
evaluations and phytochemical screening using standard methods.  
Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacognosy 
and Drug development, faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria- 
Kaduna state between 2016 – 2017. 
Methodology: The plant was identified, aunthenticated, collected and dried. This study 
evaluated the plant for its pharmacognostic and qualitative phytochemical profile using 
standard methods. 
Results: Macroscopic examination carried out revealed fresh leaf of sizes, 2.48,2.50, 2.52 cm 
length by 1.63, 1.64, 1.65 cm width and are green in color, the taste is characteristics and 
texture, smooth. The leaves are elliptical in shape, oblong at apex and have compound venation. 
Microscopic examination of the transverse section through the midrib revealed covering 
trichomes, spongy parenchyma, palisade cells, lower and upper epidermis, vascular bundles 
consisting of xylem and phloem tissues, parenchyma cells. Chemomicroscopic characters 
present are tannins, starch, lignin, mucilage, suberin, aleurone grains and cellulose. The 
physicochemical evaluation indicated the average moisture content of 6.03%, total ash value 
7.33%, Acid insoluble ash value 1.5%, water soluble ash value 4.50% while the alcohol and 
water extractives values are 36.66%and 31.33% respectively. The preliminary phytochemical 
screening revealed the present of triterpenes/steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, cardiac 
glycosides, carbohydrates and proteins.  
Conclusion: The identification and standardization profile of Senna singueana are deduced for 
compilation of a monograph. The present of some pharmacologically active phyto-constituents 
are established.