Studies on standardization of a useful medicinal plant: Annona muricata Linn (Annonaceae)

Standardization of leaf, stem and root of Annona muricata (Annonaceae) were carried out to determine its pharmacognostic profile. The evaluation of the analytical standards as well as the preliminary phytochemical analyses of these parts was also carried out. The macromorphological and microscopical studies of the different parts revealed features that can be used for proper identification of the plant. The analytical standards determined were found to be: total ash 10.93, 10.23 and 10.87% for leaf, stem and root respectively; acid-insoluble ash 1.83, 1.98 and 1.70% for leaf, stem and root respectively; water-soluble ash 1.80, 1.85 and 3.75% for leaf, stem and root respectively; sulphated ash 7.3, 6.4 and 5.42 % for leaf, stem and root respectively. The alcohol-soluble extractive for the leaf, stem and root were 2.50, 7.50 and 5.00% respectively while the water soluble extractive for leaf, stem and root were 7.50, 2.50 and 10.00% respectively. The moisture content for the leaf, stem and root were 6.50, 5.50 and 4.50% respectively. The result of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids and steroids in all the parts studied. Resins are present only in the leaf and stem while oils are present only in leaf. These findings are of importance in the establishment of diagnostic indices for the identification and standardization of the plant.