Pharmacognostic and phytochemical constituents of leaves of Jatropha multifida Linn. and Jatropha podagrica Hook

Abstract

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical constituents of two species of the genus Jatropha which are widely used in traditional medicine were assessed and compared. The cells of adaxial and abaxial epidermises of both the plants were usually polygonal with straight anticlinal walls. Leaves were hypostomatic and predominantly paracytic. Cuticular papillae, idioblastic cells, stomatal constants, veinislet number, vein termination number and palisade ratio were enumerated. The leaves of J. multifida were characterized by amphibrachyparacytic and tetracytic stomata and contained flavones apigenin, acacetin and luteolin, phenolic acids such as vanillic, syringic, p- OH Benzoic acid, melilotic, cis and Trans ferulic, p- coumaric and phloretic acids, tannins, proanthocyanidins and glycoflavones. J. podagrica was different in having actinocytic and contiguous stomata, flavone 3’4’- di OMe luteolin in addition to the flavones and phenolic acids present in the former plant except p- OH Benzoic acid and phloretic acid. Powder analysis showed fragments of epidermal cells with papillae, calcium oxalate crystals, latex cells and fragments of vessel elements.