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The pharmacognostic standards of fresh, powdered and transverse sections of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) leaf were carried out to determine its macroscopic, microscopical (both qualitative and quantitative), analytical standards and phytochemical profile. The macroscopy revealed a simple leaf, oppositely arranged along the stem with a dark green colour on the outer surface and pale green on the inner surface, ovate in shape and bilateral base, acute apex with a serrate margin. The qualitative microscopy of the powdered leaf shows xylem vessels parenchymal cells with diacytic type of stomata. Also epidermal cells with stoma wall, polygonal parenchymatous and collenchymatous cells making up the cortex with starch grains; non-glandular uniserate, multicellular septate trichome, irregular shaped prisms of calcium oxalate crystals and small bundle of mucilage cells. The quantitative microscopy of the leaf showed the values of palisade ratio, stomatal number (upper and lower epidermal stomatal index (upper and lower surface), vein-islet number and vein termination number to be 5.10, 50stomata/mm 2 , 80 stomata/mm 2 , 12.33, 23.14, 35/mm 2 and 20/mm 2 respectively. For the analytical standards; 9.90 %, 1.67 %, 0.38 % 6.39 %, 0.61 % w/w, 1.16 % w/w, 11.70 % and 7.25% were obtained for total ash, water soluble ash, sulphated ash, acid insoluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive value, water soluble extractive value, moisture content and fibre content respectively. The qualitative phytochemical analysis on Hyptis Suaveolens leaves showed presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugar, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, alkaloids and saponins. These specific standards obtained are of importance in the establishment of diagnostic indices for the standardization, identification and preparation of monograph on the plant.

Introduction: The burden of uncontrolled asthma is high and caregivers can offer support in the management of asthma. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and quality of life (QoL) of caregivers toward asthma in their children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Paediatric Respiratory Unit of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State (July 2017-September 2017). We utilized a 46-item questionnaire comprising knowledge and attitude domains and the 13-item Pediatric Asthma Caregiver’s QoL Questionnaire (PACQLQ). Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Fifty-one caregivers participated in the study. More than half (n = 36, 70.6%) of the caregivers were 40 years old and above, female (n = 37, 72.5%), graduates from higher institutions (n = 33, 64.7%), and self-employed (n = 27, 52.9%). About a quarter (n = 13, 25.5%) had a family history of asthma and a similar proportion (n = 14, 27.5%) knew the three main symptoms of asthma. Conclusion: Less than half (n = 24, 47.1%) of the caregivers had good asthma knowledge. Dust (n = 35, 68.6%) and smoke (n = 31, 60.8%) were identified as the most common asthma triggers in their children. The majority of the caregivers (n = 41, 80.3%) agreed that most people can have well-controlled asthma without seeing a doctor regularly. Overall, less than half of the caregivers (n = 24, 47.1%) showed positive attitudes toward their children’s asthma. The overall score for the PACQLQ was 3.91 (0.98) which implied a poor QoL. The caregivers had both impaired activity and emotional function from managing asthma in their children. More female caregivers had better knowledge about asthma than their male counterparts (t = −3.178; df = 49; p = 0.003). Less than half of the caregivers had good asthma knowledge and positive attitudes toward asthma in their children. They had an impaired QoL from managing asthma in their children.

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