Anato-Pharmacognostic Studies of Mikania Micrantha Kunth: A Promising Medicinal Climber of the Family Asteraceae

Abstract

Present investigation aims to set some parameters for quality control of the crude drug obtained from Mikania micrantha Kunth, a traditionally used medicinal plant for several health conditions throughout the world. Different pharmacognostic parameters like foliar micromorphology, stem and petiole anatomy, xylem element characters, preliminary phytochemical screening, physical constants and UV fluorescence characters have been evaluated following the standard methods. The epidermal cells are irregular in shape and cell wall outline is wavy. The stomata are of anomocytic type. Stomatal index in lower epidermis is 14.48 which is higher than the stomatal index of upper epidermis (4.53). Palisade ratio is 2.47. Trichomes are of glandular and non-glandular types with more than one cell. Vessel elements are with oblique, simple perforation plate. Fibre is a typical libriform type. Tannins, saponins, flavonoids, reducing sugars, etc. have been detected in methanolic extract of the plant powder. Total ash content is 9.05%. In most of the cases findings have been confirmed with previous works on Asteraceae. Some diagnostic features have been identified here which can be employed for easy identification of M. micrantha in its fresh as well as dried form. This study will help in proper identification and in controlling the standard of the crude drug obtained from this ethnomedicinal plant.

Mikania micrantha Kunth: An Ethnopharmacological Treasure Trove of Therapeutic Potential

“…[26] Its fresh aerial parts contains moisture (87.63 %), total ash (10.55 %), acid insoluble ash (0.59 %), and water soluble ash (3.13 %). [27] The ash contents possess some important minerals (e. g., potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphur and chloride) and trace minerals (e. g., iron, zinc, copper, silicon, fluoride, manganese, chromium and iodine). [28] More studies are required to identify and quantify its other macroconstituents such as proteins, fats, fibers, and carbohydrates and microconstituents such as minerals and vitamins.…”

“…Mikania micrantha leaf powder contains moisture (9.71 %), total ash (5.23 %), acid insoluble ash (4.77 %) and water soluble ash (4.15 %) [26] . Its fresh aerial parts contains moisture (87.63 %), total ash (10.55 %), acid insoluble ash (0.59 %), and water soluble ash (3.13 %) [27] . The ash contents possess some important minerals (e. g., potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphur and chloride) and trace minerals (e. g., iron, zinc, copper, silicon, fluoride, manganese, chromium and iodine) [28] .…”

Suppression of the RAGE gene expression in RAW 264.7 murine leukemia cell line by ethyl acetate extract of Mikania micrantha (L.) Kunth.

“…The leaves decoction is given to the patients suffering from dysentery, as hemostatic [16]. As ethnoveterinary medicine in India, M. micrantha is used for treating diarrhea of veterinary animals and repelling body lice of poultry birds [17].…”

From Weed to Medicinal Plant: Antioxidant Capacities and Phytochemicals of Various Extracts of Mikania micrantha

“…This plant is known as American rope, Chinese creeper, mile-a-minute, 'Chhagalbati' or 'Japanilata' (West Bengal), 'Selaput tunggul' (Malaysia) and 'Sembung rambat' (Indonesia) (Haisya et al, 2013;Nornasuha and Ismail, 2013;Saha et al, 2015). In agriculture, M. micrantha is a weed plant that can reduces the growth and productivity of several crops such as rubber, oil palm, and cocoa plantation in Malaysia which cost 8-10 million dollars per annum to control its growth (Sankaran, 2008).…”