Abstract
Numerous species of the Asteraceae, the composites, are famous for their use in both traditional and conventional medicine. Reliable anatomical descriptions of these plants and of possible adulterations provide a basis for fast identification and cheap purity controls of respective medicinal drugs by means of light microscopy. Nevertheless, detailed comparative studies on root and rhizome anatomy of valuable as well as related inconsiderable composite plants are largely missing yet. The presented study aims to narrow this gap by performing anatomical analyses of roots and rhizomes of 16 species belonging to the tribe Cardueae, of formerly and currently used drugs as well as their near relatives as potential adulterations (Carlina acaulis L., Carlina vulgaris L., Arctium lappa L., Arctium tomentosum Mill., Carduus defloratus L., Carduus personata (L.) Jacq, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten., Cirsium erisithales (Jacq.) Scop., Onopordum acanthium L., Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Rhaponticum scariosum Lam., Centaurea jacea L., Centaurea scabiosa L., Centaurea cyanus L., Cnicus benedictus L.). A detailed verbal and graphical survey of the analysed anatomical features is provided. Several characters were finally extracted which allow for discrimination of the examined species and may be effectively used for drug quality controls.
Highlights
The Asteraceae represent one of the largest plant families comprising at least 23,000 species and about 1,600 genera [1]
These features are proofed valuable for the characterisation of the drugs and may be used for quality control: The following main anatomical features of roots and rhizomes can be used for purity and quality control in pharmacy: the overall distribution and proportions of the principal tissues in transverse section, the fine structure of the cork, vessel types, the occurrence of fibers including their maximum diameter and wall structure, and, the occurrence of sclereids and secretory ducts in diverse tissues
Our studies demonstrated that even within one single plant the diameter of the largest vessels may differ largely depending on their position along the root axis
Summary
The Asteraceae represent one of the largest plant families comprising at least 23,000 species and about 1,600 genera [1].
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