Pharmacognostic Study and Hepatoprotective Activity of the Methanolic Extract and Fractions of Leaves of Picralima nitida Apocyanaceae

Abstract

Picralima nitida the only species in the genus Picralima belongs to the Apocyanaceae family. It is widely known for its medicinal purposes. The aim of the study was to investigate pharmacognostic parameters of the leaf and evaluate the hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity using Swiss Albino mice. The physicochemical evaluation indicated 11.75% moisture content, 8.50% total ash, 9.50% acid insoluble ash, 4.00% water soluble ash, 13.75% alcohol extractive value and 11.00% water extractive value. Macroscopic analysis on the fresh leaves revealed an odourless green plant with bitter taste. Microscopic examination indicated the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, starch grains, epidermal cells, xylem, parenchyma cells, paracytic stomata and palisade tissue. Chemomicroscopic evaluation indicated the presence of oxalate crystals, starch grains, lignified tissues, tannins, cellulose, protein and oil. The acute toxicity result revealed that P. nitida had no adverse effect in Swiss Albino mice. The ethyl acetate fraction had hepatoprotective ability on liver enzymes (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) and can produce the same result as ascorbic acid (standard).