Background: Cola caricifolia (G.Don) K.Schum. (Malvaceae) is a West African medicinal plant with documented ethnomedicinal uses, yet no pharmacognostic or physicochemical standards have been established for its leaf and stem bark, particularly from Nigerian accessions. Methods: Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were conducted using standard pharmacognostic protocols recommended by the World Health Organization. Physicochemical parameters including moisture content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, sulphated ash, and alcohol- and water-soluble extractive values were determined. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were performed on ethanolic extracts of both plant parts. Results: The leaf exhibited palmately lobed morphology with paracytic stomata, covering trichomes, glandular trichomes, spiral xylem vessels, palisade parenchyma, and rosette calcium oxalate crystals. The stem bark displayed peridermal architecture characterised by radially arranged cork cells, sclereids, stone cells, phloem parenchyma, and rosette calcium oxalate crystals. Physicochemical values for moisture content (leaves: 6.85 ± 0.21%; bark: 8.14 ± 0.18%), total ash (leaves: 8.91 ± 0.24%; bark: 10.63 ± 0.30%), and extractive values were within acceptable pharmacopoeial limits. Phytochemical screening revealed eight classes of secondary metabolites in the leaf and seven in the bark (saponins absent from bark), with differential quantitative distribution: leaves contained higher alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, and glycosides, while bark contained higher tannins, terpenoids, and steroids. Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive pharmacognostic monograph for Cola caricifolia leaf and stem bark, establishing baseline standards for botanical authentication, quality control, and inclusion in herbal pharmacopoeias.
Makuochukwu Immaculata Ojimba1, Chinenye Henrietta Nedum1*, Chidinma Ruth Chukwunwejim1, Izuchukwu Charles Ifedi2 (Fri,) studied this question.