Abstract:
Philippine indigenous plants are considered by many to have high medicinal value and thus are potential candidates for drug development. As a preliminary toward this goal, the present study aims to give a morphoanatomical and histochemical description of the vegetative organs of a native tree, Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz colloquially known as “libas” for proper authentication of the plant source and determination of the plant’s possible therapeutic effects. Plant parts were collected from an individual tree in Washington Sycip Garden of Native Trees, University of the Philippines–Diliman. Morphological descriptions were done in situ. Permanent section of vegetative organs embedded in paraffin were done and observed through a microscope for anatomical study. Epidermal imprints of the leaf were also made. Histolocalization of phenols, lignins, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and volatile oils were done for histochemical study. Results show that the morphoanatomical description for the observed plant agrees with known literatures. The plant’s phytochemicals were observed to be associated with the secretory ducts, vascular tissues and cortical cells present. Flavonoids are most abundant in the leaves, while saponins and volatile oils have limited distribution and also lacking in roots. The researchers recommend that the histolocalization of other phytochemicals be studied and to extract, isolate and purify these phytochemicals.
