Pharmacognostic and physicochemical studies of the leaves of Hoslundia opposita Vahl (Lamiaceae)

Abstract

Hoslundia opposita is an important herb of ethnomedical importance in Ghana. Infusions of the leaves are widely used in traditional medicine as a purgative, diuretic, febrifuge, antibiotic, and antiseptic. The plant is known to have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. Due to commercialisation of this important herb, there is the need to develop standardization parameters for the authentication and quality control of the leaves of Hoslundia opposita. The macromorphological, qualitative and quantitative features, physicochemical and phytochemical features of the medicinally used parts were evaluated using standard methods. The plant is a glabrous herb with simple leaves. The leaves are elliptic, with an acuminate apex. It is amphistomatic with anomocytic stomata. The quantitative indices of the leaf and physicochemical parameters have also been established. The pharmacognostic features established in this study may be used as part of the pharmacopoeial standards for the correct identification and quality control of Hoslundia opposita.