Abstract

Cussonia barteri (Seemann), commonly called Octopus cabbage tree. It is known in Hausa as Gwabsa, Fulani as Burmalahi and Yoruba as Sigo. It is used traditionally in the treatment of infectious diseases, pain, gastrointestinal problems, malaria, inflammation and sexually transmitted diseases but with little knowledge on the pharmacognostic standards. The study established some important pharmacognostic standards of C. barteri stem bark with the aim of achieving its proper identification as well as standardization for quality and purity. The preparation of the fresh and powdered samples of the stem bark was carried out according to WHO guideline on method of assessing crude drugs. The macroscopic and organoleptic evaluation showed that the stem bark is brownish-grey in colour, well marked with longitudinal ridges and fissures, stem breaks with a short fracture which exhibit a thin cork and a broad fibrous layer, has a characteristic taste and smell. The microscopy shows the presence of epidermis, endodermis, xylem, phloem, cortex and pith. Chemo-microscopy revealed the presence of cellulose and lignified cell wall, suberin, mucilage, starch, inulin and clustered-type calcium oxalate. The physicochemical parameters were: Moisture content (7.86 ± 0.17), total ash value (11.40 ± 0.24), acid insoluble ash (2.30 ± 0.12), water soluble ash (6.33 ± 0.23), ethanol extractive value (13.67 ± 0.33), and water extractive value (17.67 ± 0.66). Micrometry showed calcium oxalate crystals (length 4.40 µm ± 0.25, breadth 3.00 µm ± 0.32), cork cells (length 6.40 µm ± 0.25, breadth 5.00 µm ± 0.32) and fibres (length 64.80 µm ± 2.13, breadth 7.00 µm ± 0.45). The study evaluated the pharmacognostic standards of C. barteri and the macroscopic, microscopic, as well as the physico-chemical parameters which will be useful for the compilation of a suitable monograph on C. barteri and guide towards its pharmaceutical utilization.