Planta Med 2014; 80 - P2B36
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394913

Botanical quality control of Terminalia albida leaf

K Gromek 1, T Gameiro 1, L Catarino 2, R Serrano 1, O Silva 1
  • 1Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences (iMed.UL), Pharmacological Sciences Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649 – 019 Lisbon, Portugal
  • 2Jardim Botânico Tropical, Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical; Trav. Conde da Ribeira 9, 1300 – 142 Lisbon, Portugal

Terminalia albida leaf is medicinal plant used at Guinea-Bissau to treat eye diseases [1] and a significant anti-bacterial activity of it was already been reported [2]. In order to allow its use as a possible herbal substance, quality control parameters must be established. In the present work results concerning the botanical identification of T. albida dried leaf entire or fragmentized were presented. This plant is also used in Gambia to treat malaria and also for hiccups, back and stomach pain [2,3]. Samples selected according to European Pharmacopoeia [4] were observed with naked eye and by optical stereomicroscopy, light microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. The leaf, petiolate, showed 10 – 16.5 cm in length and 3 – 5 cm in breadth, narrowly oblong or elliptic lanceolate blade, with acuminate apex with narrowly rounded base and entire margin; upper surface was smoothy and shiny and lower face showed large non-glandular trichomes; Nerves are pinnate, slightly prominent, 12 – 17 pairs of secondary veins. Leaf transverse section showed adaxial epidermis, abaxial epidermis, and mesophyll differentiated into palisade and irregular parenchyma. The lower epidermal layer shows anomocytic stomata (arithmetic-mean = 32 stomata/nm2). Polygonal cells were observed in adaxial epidermis, 21.4 cells/100 µm2 (σ=± 3.7). Non-glandular unicellular trichomes were present in lower epidermis. Unicellular, cup-shaped scales (arithmetic-mean: 15.69 µm head diameter; 14.66 µm base length), were observed mostly inserted in upper epidermis, with yellowish substance inside. Calcium oxalate cluster crystals (arithmetic-mean 30.3 µm diameter) in upper epidermis, palisade parenchyma, a characteristic giant xylem vessel (arithmetic-mean 112.26 µm diameter) and also several small dimension xylem vessels disposed radially were observed. Occasionally, it was noted the presence of domatia. Obtained results are useful and must be considered in a future T. albida leaf quality monograph.

Keywords: botanical identification; Combretaceae; microscopy; quality control; Terminalia albida;

References:

1. Burkhill H M., (1985), The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Families A-D, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK, Vol I:415 – 426.

2. Ayodele, S.M. et al., (2010), Antibacterial screening of the root, stem and leaf extracts of Terminalia albida Sc. Elliot on selected pathogenic bacteria. AJMR 4(13): 1457 – 1459.

3. Clare M., (1998), Therapeutic landscapes of the Jola, The Gambia, West Africa; Health & Place. Vol. 4(4):293 – 311.

4. EDQM. (2010). European Pharmacopoeia, 7th ed., vol. 1: General Monographs. Strasbourg, France: European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines, Council of Europe..