Pharmacognostic evaluation of Sida cuneifolia apical leaves: Morphological, anatomical, physicochemical, and phytochemical profiling for medicinal potential

Abstract

Sida cuneifolia, a tropical and subtropical weed, is valued in African traditional medicine, yet lacks a thorough pharmacognostic profile. This study evaluated the apical leaves of S. cuneifolia using morphological, microscopic, histochemical, physicochemical, and phytochemical analyses. The shrub’s cuneate leaves (1.5–1.8 cm length, 0.3–0.6 cm width) feature a distinctive notch. Microscopy showed amorphous epidermal cells, stellate trichomes on the adaxial surface, and hypostomatic anomocytic stomata on the abaxial surface. Physicochemical analysis yielded 4.7% dark green extract, an extractive value of 901.3 mg/g, moisture content of 1.233%, and pH of 6.11. Histochemical tests detected tannins, mucilage, inulin, and fatty acids, while phytochemical screening confirmed cardiac glycosides, phenolic acids, gums, mucilage, tannins, and carbohydrates. TLC revealed four bands, and HPLC showed peaks at with Rf of 8.392 and 16.81. These findings support S. cuneifolia’s medicinal use and highlight the need for further compound-specific studies.