Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Microsc Res Tech. 2023 Aug;86(8):966-990. doi: 10.1002/jemt.24369. Epub 2023 Jun 19.
Medicinal plants are richest source of chemical compounds that can be used to evolve novel drugs. According to World Health Organization (WHO), in developing countries more than 3.5 billion people relay on herbal drugs for their primary health care. In the present study, an attempt was carried out to authenticate some selected medicinal plants (Fagonia cretica L., Peganum harmala L., Tribulus terrestris L., Chrozophora tinctoria L. Raf. and Ricinus communis L.) from family Zygophyllaceae and Euphorbiaceae using light and scanning electron macroscopic techniques. Macroscopic evaluation and comparative anatomy (Light Microscopy) of the root and fruits revealed great diversity in macro and microscopic features. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of root powder showed non-glandular trichomes, stellate trichomes, parenchyma cells and vessels. Fruits SEM exhibited non-glandular trichomes, glandular trichomes, stellate trichomes, peltate trichomes and mesocarp cells. Both macroscopic and microscopic evaluation plays a crucial role in the correct substantiation and validation of novel sources. These findings can serve as an essential source of information to accomplish the authenticity and to appraise the quality and purity of the herbal drugs in accordance to WHO guidelines. These parameters can be used to distinguish the selected plants from their commonly used adulterants. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: In the current work, five plants (Fagonia cretica L., Peganum harmala L., Tribulus terrestris L., Chrozophora tinctoria L. Raf. and Ricinus communis L.) from Zygophyllaceae and Euphorbiaceae were investigated for macroscopy and microscopy (LM & SEM) for the first time. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation disclosed great diversity in morphology and histology. Microscopy is the backbone of standardization process. Current study helped in correct identification and quality assurance of the plant materials. Their statistical investigation may possess great potency for plant taxonomists to further appraise the vegetative growth and tissue development which is requisite especially for fruit to enhance the yield of herbal drugs and their formulation. Further molecular studies, compounds isolation and characterization are required to deepen the knowledge of these herbal drugs.
药用植物是可以用来开发新型药物的化合物的最丰富来源。根据世界卫生组织（WHO）的统计，在发展中国家，超过 35 亿人依赖草药来进行基本的医疗保健。在本研究中，我们试图使用光学和扫描电子显微镜技术对来自大戟科和大戟科的几种选定药用植物（Fagonia cretica L.， Peganum harmala L.，Tribulus terrestris L.，Chrozophora tinctoria L. Raf. 和 Ricinus communis L.）进行鉴定。根和果实的宏观评估和比较解剖学（光学显微镜）显示出宏观和微观特征的巨大差异。根粉的扫描电子显微镜（SEM）显示出非腺毛、星状毛、薄壁细胞和脉管。果实 SEM 显示出非腺毛、腺毛、星状毛、盾状毛和中果皮细胞。宏观和微观评估都在正确证实和验证新型来源方面起着至关重要的作用。这些发现可以作为信息的重要来源，以根据世界卫生组织的指导方针完成对草药的真实性和质量以及纯度的评估。这些参数可用于将所选植物与其常用的掺杂物区分开来。研究亮点：在当前的工作中，首次对来自大戟科和大戟科的五种植物（Fagonia cretica L.， Peganum harmala L.，Tribulus terrestris L.，Chrozophora tinctoria L. Raf. 和 Ricinus communis L.）进行了宏观和微观（LM 和 SEM）研究。宏观和微观评估揭示了形态和组织学上的巨大差异。显微镜是标准化过程的支柱。本研究有助于正确识别和保证植物材料的质量。它们的统计研究可能对植物分类学家具有很大的潜力，可以进一步评估植物的生长和组织发育，这对于提高草药及其制剂的产量尤为重要。需要进一步的分子研究、化合物分离和表征，以加深对这些草药的认识。
