INVESTIGATION OF THE ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE OF UNDERGROUND ORGANS OF SANGUISORBA OFFICINALIS L.

Abstract

The aim of the work. Greater burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant; underground organs are used in medicine as astringent and antihemorrhage remedy. Medicines from rhizomes and roots of S. officinalis are used in official medicine. In scientific references there is not enough information about pharmacognostic features of subterranean organs of greater burnet. So, the aim of out work was to study anatomy structure and to determine the main diagnostic signs of rhizomes and roots of the plant.

Materials and Methods. Micro preparations were prepared using conventional methods. Microscope MC 10 (oculars X5, X10, X15, objectives X10, X40) was used. Micro photos were made with photo camera Samsung PL 50.

Results and Discussion. Rhizome.The underground part of greater burnet is represented by perennial epigeogenic rhizome with adventitious roots. Rhizome becomes woody, loose and cave gradually. Anatomical structure of rhizome is characterized by the absence of bundles. Young rhizomes are covered by dark reddish-brown longitudinally wrinkled cork. Mature samples consolidated cork cells that appear to be exfoliated. Primary bark of young rhizomes is represented by the layers of grand-cellular parenchyma. Xylem and phloem are also significantly filled with parenchyma, permeated with expanded radial medullary rays. Simple and complex starch grains are accumulated in cells, druses are often seen. Dense ring of cambium is clearly determined. Vascular system is represented by vessels. Mechanical fibers are located separately arranged into small areas near the vessels or form continuous ring near the cambium. The core includes intercellular spaces, parenchymatous cells with starch grains and calcium oxalate druses. Root of greater burnet has secondary structure. The cork is multilayered; the rings are with brownish or yellowish content and also with several layers of cells without coloured content. The cambium zone is multilayered, dark and clearly visible. Xylem appears as radial. Tracheids are porous. Medullary rays are numerous. Simple oval and roundish small starch grains, druses and single prismatic or multilayered crystals of calcium oxalate are present in cells. The outer layer of cork of mature roots is thick, dark-brown with cracks; rings of xylem are clearly visible, medullary rays and bast fibers are numerous.

Conclusions. The study of peculiarities of anatomical structure of young and mature underground organs from Sanguisorba officinalis was performed; the typical microscopic diagnostic features were determined.