Comparative authentication of and its substituted species via macroscopic and microscopic features.

OBJECTIVE

Ban Fenghe recorded in the (Volume 1) is derived from the dried stems and leaves of . It is usually confused with medicinal herbs from and . However, they are very different in chemical composition, and should not be used as the same drug. To ensure their safety and efficacy, a method based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics was developed to distinguish them.

METHODS

A total of 14 batches of Ban Fenghe samples from three species were collected from different producing areas in China. The macroscopic characteristics were examined by observing external traits. The tissue structures of transverse sections of stems and leaves, the leaf epidermis, and the powder were observed microscopically.

RESULTS

The branchlets and leaf surfaces of and were hairy, especially the lower leaf surfaces of were densely covered with hairs, but those of were hairless. The pericyclic fibers of stems were intermittently distributed in a circular shape and accompanied by stone cells, whereas those of and were bundled without stone cells. So stone cells and hairs were present in powder, stone cells were not found in and powder, and hairs were not present in powder. The distribution sites, sizes and types of secretory tissues of these three species were also different in transverse sections of stems and leaves. Stomata on the lower epidermis of leaves were paracytic, whereas those of and were anomocytic.

CONCLUSION

Ban Fenghe drugs derived from could readily be distinguished from those of and by macroscopic and microscopic features.