Pharmacognostic Evaluation of the Leaves of Coccinia barteri Hook F (Cucurbitaceae)

Background: In general, Coccinia barteri is offered and sold in its raw form. This natural form could be adulterated, substituted, or contaminated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to use pharmacognostic analyses to verify the authenticity of the leaves of the Coccinia barteri plant.

Methods: The organoleptic studies were carried out through sensory organs. Histological analyses were conducted by microscopic examination of the specimen mounted on hand slides. Phytochemical screening and chemomicroscopic evaluation were also carried out using various standard methods.

Results: The leaves of Coccinia barteri come in a range of forms and sizes. They are lustrous, bright, and dark green. They are also tiny and feature opposite imparipinnate compound leaves. The organoleptic evaluation showed a leafy odour and an astringent taste. Microscopic evaluation showed glandular trichomes, wavy epidermal cells, and anomocytic stomata. The leaf had anomocytic stomata and hypostomatic. with an average stomatal number, index, density, length, width and size of 13.75 ± 0.40%, 15.44 ± 0.42 mm-2, 80.88±2.82 mm-2, 29.26µm, 26.17 ± 0.4 µm and 766.38± 39.49 µm, respectively.

The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, proteins, glycosides, and flavonoids, while tannins and fixed oils were not detected. Chemotaxonomic studies showed the presence of starch grains, lignified tissues, calcium oxalates, gum, and the absence of protein and oil globules.

Analytical evaluation of the leaves of Coccinia barteri produced 7.00% total ash, 0.93% acid insoluble ash, 2.96% water soluble ash, 8.40% moisture content, 29.67% alcohol extractive value, 40.17% water extractive value, and 21.00% ethyl acetate extractive value.

Conclusion: This study provides information on the morphology, microscopic, and phytochemical profile of the leaves of Coccinia barteri.