Histochemical analysis of Xanthium strumarium raw materials, growing on the territory of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Histochemical analysis of medicinal plants and raw materials is designed to study the localization of various chemical substances and metabolic products in their tissues. The article presents the results of a histochemical analysis of leaves, stems, roots and fruits of a promising medicinal plant Xanthium strumarium, the herb of which is used in folk medicine to treat iodine deficiency. Goal. Determination of the features of localization of individual groups of biologically active substances in the aerial and underground organs of Xanthium strumarium, growing on the territory of Kazakhstan. Materials and methods. Materials for the study: cross sections of the stem; cross and superficial sections of leaves; cross sections of the root and the surface preparation of Xanthium strumarium’s fruit. Samples of raw materials were fixed in Strauss-Fleming solution, cross sections were prepared manually, after which histochemical reactions were carried out to locate and identify the following biologically active substances: essential oil, starch, flavonoids, polysaccharides, sesquiterpene lactones and alkaloids. The study of microscopic features, as well as histochemical tests, was carried out according to the methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan using a “Biomed-4” light microscope. Results: By histochemical methods using light microscopy determined the localization of biologically active substances in plant raw materials. The presence of essential oil, flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides and sesquiterpene lactones on cross sections of the leaf, stem, root and fruit was established. The accumulation of starch in all organs of the plant has not been established. Conclusion: For the first time, by histochemical tests, the localization of biologically active substances in the tissues of Xanthium strumarium were studied. The results of histochemical studies can be used to confirm the authenticity, identification and standardization of the aerial and underground parts of Xanthium strumarium.