The dried leaf of Digitalis purpurea L. (foxglove leaf) was introduced as botanical drug into the... more The dried leaf of Digitalis purpurea L. (foxglove leaf) was introduced as botanical drug into the London Pharmacopoeia of 1650 and remains actually in all Occidental Pharmacopoeias (digitalis purpureae folium). During last year’s, some specimens of Digitalis L. genus collected in the Northeast region of Portugal were identified by us as natural hybrids Digitalis thapsi L. x Digitalis purpurea L.. Traditionally, hybridization in plants has been generally detected using morphological characters and the leaf is one of the most common organs used in this kind of studies. The aim of this chapter is to present a complete description of the microscopic characteristics, founded by us in the leaf of the collected samples, that allows the identification of the natural hybridization based on the application of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Quantification and statistical data analysis of the major micromorphologic D. thapsi x D. purpurea leaf distinctive characters were also presented. This work emphasizes the importance and actuality of the use of microscopic techniques as a tool of identification of pharmaceutical botanical raw materials.
ABSTRACT Leaves of Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson (Celastraceae) are used in... more ABSTRACT Leaves of Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson (Celastraceae) are used in East Africa to treat different diseases such as infections, respiratory diseases and sores [1]. Despite some chemical studies have already been reported for this part of the plant, respective biological studies are scarce and there is a lack of studies aiming at its' botanical characterization. Alkaloids, triterpenes and tannins have previously been identified in the leaves [2]. Hereby we present results concerning the macroscopic and microscopic identification of M. heterophylla leaf as an herbal drug. Methodology includes the analysis of the whole, fragmentized and powdered plant material by light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Some histochemistry and quantitative microscopy studies were also performed. Among the identified characters the most useful for leaf identification includes the typical leaf bilateral organization; the presence of anomocytic stomata, more frequent in lower epidermis, and surrounded by a ring of four to six subsidiary cells appear with an irregular distribution; papillate cells on the surface of epidermal cells; multicelled uniseriate covering trichomes (rare). Calcium oxalate cluster crystals are present frequently in the palisade parenchyma, near the phloem cells of the midrib and occasionally occur on epidermis. Histochemical results confirm the presence of the major chemical classes previously reported, and allowed to know its' distribution: lipids on the surface epidermis and cuticle; alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids and starch in the mesophyll, and of some terpenoids on the collenchyma cells near the midribs. Obtained results can be included in an herbal drug quality monograph of M. heterophylla. References: [1] Kokwaro, J. O. (1976) Medicinal Plants of East Africa. East African Literature Bureau. Nairobi. [2] Orabi, K. et al. (2001) Phytochemistry, 58:475–480.
ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), commonly known as "drumstick tree&quot... more ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), commonly known as "drumstick tree" or „horse radish tree“ is native to north India but is now found throughout the tropics. Leaves of this high medicinal value plant have been reported to have antihypercholesterolemic action [1] and those with other risk factor, such as hypertension [2] or diabetes mellitus [3]. Reports have also described the plant to be highly potent anti-inflammatory agent, antitumour activity and hepatoprotective against antitubercular drugs such as isoniazid and rifampicin [4]. Many uses for leaves include: biogas, green manure, domestic cleaning agent, biopesticide and it is particularly useful as a human food [5]. Our work aims to set M. oleifera leaf botanical identification parameters to the whole, fragmentized and powdered plant material by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. The most useful micrographic parameters observed on the leaf are: A bilateral organization with 1–2 cell layers of palisade tissue on the upper epidermis and spongy parenchyma with a small intercellular space volume on the lower epidermis; a surface showing a slightly sinuous cuticle in both epidermises; anomocytic stomata with an irregular distribution, surrounded by 4 to 6 subsidiary cells; calcium oxalate cluster crystals on the palisade parenchyma; gland canals in the parenchyma central veins; unicellular non-glandular trichomes scarce. The powdered material is characterized by the presence of fragments containing the above-named structures. Results of this study will be very useful in the identification of this medicinal and edible plant as raw material for use by the pharmaceutical and alimentary industry. References: 1. Ghasi, S. et al. (2000)J. Ethnopharmacol. 69:21–25. 2. Faizi, S., et al. (1998) Planta Med. 64 (3):225–228. 3. Kar, A., et al. (2003)J. Ethnopharmacol. 84 (1):105–108. 4. Fakurazi, S. et al. (2008) Food Chem. Toxicol. 46:2611–2615. 5. Fahey, JW (2005) T. F. L. Journal 1: 5.
Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson and Maytenus senegalensis (Lam). Exell are two Africa... more Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson and Maytenus senegalensis (Lam). Exell are two African medicinal plants used to treat painful and inflammatory diseases. We evaluated the in vivo (per os) anti-inflammatory activity of M. heterophylla leaf, stem and root extracts and of M. senegalensis leaf and stem extracts. Additionally, we assessed their in vivo acute and sub-acute toxicities. Anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extracts were determined in Wistar albino rats, by the carrageenan-induced paw oedema method. Acute and sub-acute toxicity screening of the extracts was evaluated in adult male CD-6 mice. Leaf extracts of M. heterophylla and M. senegalensis exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (120 mg/kg, per os), reducing oedema by 51% and 35%, respectively. While M. heterophylla extracts at 1200 mg/kg have shown to be non-toxic, M. senegalensis extracts indicated some toxicity. Our results show a significant anti-inflammatory effect of both M. heterophylla and ...
In this paper, a new hydrocarbon-based magnetic fluid containing CdFe2O4 nanoparticles was invest... more In this paper, a new hydrocarbon-based magnetic fluid containing CdFe2O4 nanoparticles was investigated using static magnetic birefringence (SMB) and transmission electron microscopy. Inclusion of the dependence of the birefringence signal upon both the magnetic permeability and the formation of chain-like structures yields excellent agreement between the SMB data and the model used to fit them.
The dried leaf of Digitalis purpurea L. (foxglove leaf) was introduced as botanical drug into the... more The dried leaf of Digitalis purpurea L. (foxglove leaf) was introduced as botanical drug into the London Pharmacopoeia of 1650 and remains actually in all Occidental Pharmacopoeias (digitalis purpureae folium). During last year’s, some specimens of Digitalis L. genus collected in the Northeast region of Portugal were identified by us as natural hybrids Digitalis thapsi L. x Digitalis purpurea L.. Traditionally, hybridization in plants has been generally detected using morphological characters and the leaf is one of the most common organs used in this kind of studies. The aim of this chapter is to present a complete description of the microscopic characteristics, founded by us in the leaf of the collected samples, that allows the identification of the natural hybridization based on the application of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Quantification and statistical data analysis of the major micromorphologic D. thapsi x D. purpurea leaf distinctive characters were also presented. This work emphasizes the importance and actuality of the use of microscopic techniques as a tool of identification of pharmaceutical botanical raw materials.
ABSTRACT Leaves of Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson (Celastraceae) are used in... more ABSTRACT Leaves of Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson (Celastraceae) are used in East Africa to treat different diseases such as infections, respiratory diseases and sores [1]. Despite some chemical studies have already been reported for this part of the plant, respective biological studies are scarce and there is a lack of studies aiming at its' botanical characterization. Alkaloids, triterpenes and tannins have previously been identified in the leaves [2]. Hereby we present results concerning the macroscopic and microscopic identification of M. heterophylla leaf as an herbal drug. Methodology includes the analysis of the whole, fragmentized and powdered plant material by light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Some histochemistry and quantitative microscopy studies were also performed. Among the identified characters the most useful for leaf identification includes the typical leaf bilateral organization; the presence of anomocytic stomata, more frequent in lower epidermis, and surrounded by a ring of four to six subsidiary cells appear with an irregular distribution; papillate cells on the surface of epidermal cells; multicelled uniseriate covering trichomes (rare). Calcium oxalate cluster crystals are present frequently in the palisade parenchyma, near the phloem cells of the midrib and occasionally occur on epidermis. Histochemical results confirm the presence of the major chemical classes previously reported, and allowed to know its' distribution: lipids on the surface epidermis and cuticle; alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids and starch in the mesophyll, and of some terpenoids on the collenchyma cells near the midribs. Obtained results can be included in an herbal drug quality monograph of M. heterophylla. References: [1] Kokwaro, J. O. (1976) Medicinal Plants of East Africa. East African Literature Bureau. Nairobi. [2] Orabi, K. et al. (2001) Phytochemistry, 58:475–480.
ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), commonly known as "drumstick tree&quot... more ABSTRACT Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), commonly known as "drumstick tree" or „horse radish tree“ is native to north India but is now found throughout the tropics. Leaves of this high medicinal value plant have been reported to have antihypercholesterolemic action [1] and those with other risk factor, such as hypertension [2] or diabetes mellitus [3]. Reports have also described the plant to be highly potent anti-inflammatory agent, antitumour activity and hepatoprotective against antitubercular drugs such as isoniazid and rifampicin [4]. Many uses for leaves include: biogas, green manure, domestic cleaning agent, biopesticide and it is particularly useful as a human food [5]. Our work aims to set M. oleifera leaf botanical identification parameters to the whole, fragmentized and powdered plant material by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. The most useful micrographic parameters observed on the leaf are: A bilateral organization with 1–2 cell layers of palisade tissue on the upper epidermis and spongy parenchyma with a small intercellular space volume on the lower epidermis; a surface showing a slightly sinuous cuticle in both epidermises; anomocytic stomata with an irregular distribution, surrounded by 4 to 6 subsidiary cells; calcium oxalate cluster crystals on the palisade parenchyma; gland canals in the parenchyma central veins; unicellular non-glandular trichomes scarce. The powdered material is characterized by the presence of fragments containing the above-named structures. Results of this study will be very useful in the identification of this medicinal and edible plant as raw material for use by the pharmaceutical and alimentary industry. References: 1. Ghasi, S. et al. (2000)J. Ethnopharmacol. 69:21–25. 2. Faizi, S., et al. (1998) Planta Med. 64 (3):225–228. 3. Kar, A., et al. (2003)J. Ethnopharmacol. 84 (1):105–108. 4. Fakurazi, S. et al. (2008) Food Chem. Toxicol. 46:2611–2615. 5. Fahey, JW (2005) T. F. L. Journal 1: 5.
Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson and Maytenus senegalensis (Lam). Exell are two Africa... more Maytenus heterophylla (Eckl & Zeyh.) Robson and Maytenus senegalensis (Lam). Exell are two African medicinal plants used to treat painful and inflammatory diseases. We evaluated the in vivo (per os) anti-inflammatory activity of M. heterophylla leaf, stem and root extracts and of M. senegalensis leaf and stem extracts. Additionally, we assessed their in vivo acute and sub-acute toxicities. Anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extracts were determined in Wistar albino rats, by the carrageenan-induced paw oedema method. Acute and sub-acute toxicity screening of the extracts was evaluated in adult male CD-6 mice. Leaf extracts of M. heterophylla and M. senegalensis exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (120 mg/kg, per os), reducing oedema by 51% and 35%, respectively. While M. heterophylla extracts at 1200 mg/kg have shown to be non-toxic, M. senegalensis extracts indicated some toxicity. Our results show a significant anti-inflammatory effect of both M. heterophylla and ...
In this paper, a new hydrocarbon-based magnetic fluid containing CdFe2O4 nanoparticles was invest... more In this paper, a new hydrocarbon-based magnetic fluid containing CdFe2O4 nanoparticles was investigated using static magnetic birefringence (SMB) and transmission electron microscopy. Inclusion of the dependence of the birefringence signal upon both the magnetic permeability and the formation of chain-like structures yields excellent agreement between the SMB data and the model used to fit them.
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