Simple Quality-Control Procedures for Selected Medicinal Plants Commonly Used in Jordan

Abstract

The quality of 20 selected medicinal plants commonly used in traditional medicine in Jordan was evaluated. Crude and powdered plant materials of the selected species were subjected to macroscopic examination to confirm their identity and to detect adulterations. Macroscopic evaluation revealed that Melissa officinalis. L. leaves were substituted by Aloysia citriodora. Ort. leaves, Achillea fragrantissima. (Forskal) Sch. Bip herb was substituted by Artemisia. spp., and Anchusa officinalis. L. stems were substituted by Paronychia argentea. Lam. herb. Microscopic examination of some powdered plant samples (Curcuma longa. L. roots and Paronychia argentea. herb) indicated adulteration with dyes. This was confirmed by comparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis of extracts prepared from the purchased powdered and crude samples. Microscopic key elements for 11 of the selected medicinal plants, not previously reported, have been identified and proposed. These are Achillea fragrantissima. herb, Alhagi maurorum. Medic. roots, Anchusa officinalis. stems, Cyperus rotundus. L. roots, Aloysia citriodora. leaves, Moringa aptera. Garten. fruits, Paronychia argentea. herb, Prunus mahaleb. L. seeds, Rhus coriera.. fruits, Vitex agnus castus. L. stems and fruits, and Ziziphus spina christi. L. Desf. leaves.