Pharmacognostic and elemental analysis of the rhizome of C. spectabilis (Fenzl) Schumann (Costaceae)

Abstract

The extract from the rhizome of Costus spectabilis (Costaceae) has been used to treat many illnesses including eye infections and cataract. The present study aimed to establish the pharmacognostic features of the rhizome by evaluating its macro-morphological characteristics, micro-morphological features using its anatomical section, physicochemical constants and elemental profile of its powder according to standard methods. Macro-morphology revealed features typical of a rhizome. Microscopical examination shows vascular bundles scattered throughout the ground tissue of starch-filled cellulosic parenchyma, parenchymatous cortex, endodermis and Oleoresin cells. Chemomicroscopy of the powder showed cellulosic cell walls, lignified cell walls, starch grains, fats and oil. The powder was found to have a moisture content of 12.3%, Total ash of 4.3%, acid insoluble ash of 2.0%, water soluble ash of 1.2%, water soluble extractive of 11.0% and alcohol soluble extractive of 6.5%. Elemental analysis showed the presence of Zn, Cu, Mg, Fe, Pb, Ni, Mn and Cd at concentrations of 24.62, 2.63, 1449.21, 113.23, 36.50, 31.90, 86.93 and 1.23 mg/kg in the powder respectively. The study has established some pharmacognostic features and elemental composition of the rhizome of C. spectabilis. The information could serve useful in providing quality control parameters and standardization of the crude drug.
 Keywords: Macro-morphology; Microscopical; Physico-chemical; Standardization; Elemental analysis

Phytochemical, antimicrobial and proximate analysis of <em>Costus spectabilis</em> grown in different soil types

“…This could be attributed to the choice of solvent used in the extraction process. Shehu et al (2022) reported that a furostan saponin isolated from the rhizome of C. spectabilis exerts a cataract ameliorative effect in vitro.…”

“…Plants have been playing an important role in the treatment of several ailments since ancient time. Costus spectabilis is particularly used to treat cataract in humans (Shehu et al, 2019 andShehu et al, 2022). According to Keïta et al (2019) methanolic leaf extract of C. spectabilis has shown therapeutic properties for inflammation, arthritis, rheumatism, maternal and neonatal infections.…”