Anatomical characters of the medicinal leaf and stem of Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. ex Walp. (Asteraceae)

Abstract

Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. ex Walp. (Asteraceae), better known by its former name Vernonia amygdalina Delile, is a small shrub used in folk medicine as an antipyretic, laxative, antimalarial and anthelmintic. Studies have demonstrated that different vegetal extracts possess antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities. Among the bioactive metabolites, there are sesquiterpene lactones, saponins, polyphenols and flavonoids. This study investigated the leaf and stem microscopic characters of G. amygdalinum, aiming to expand the knowledge on this medicinal species and indicate anatomical structures. Plant material was fixed and sectioned by freehand and using a microtome. The sections were either stained or underwent standard histochemical tests. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to investigate epidermal relief. The leaf is amphistomatic with anomocytic stomata. There are striate cuticle, glandular and non-glandular trichomes and dorsiventral mesophyll. In transverse section, the midrib and the petiole have a plano-convex shape. Both show several collateral vascular bundles and few crystals of calcium oxalate. In the stem, the epidermis persists and the phellogen has a peripheral origin. It presents typical endodermis and sclerenchymatic caps adjoining the phloem. The aspects that contribute to characterizing the species are stomata on both leaf surfaces, midrib and petiole features, the endodermis and sclerenchymatic caps in the stem, as well as the different types of trichome on both aerial organs. Uniterms:Gymnanthemum amygdalinum/pharmacognosy. Gymnanthemum amygdalinum/ microscopic characterization. Vernonia amygdalina/pharmacognosy. Vernonia amygdalina/microscopic characterization. Asteraceae/pharmacognosy. Medicinal plants.Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. ex Walp. (Asteraceae), espécie mais conhecida pela sinonímia Vernonia amygdalina Delile, é um pequeno arbusto empregado na medicina popular como antipirético, laxativo, antimalárico e anti-helmíntico. Estudos demonstraram que diferentes extratos do vegetal possuem atividades antioxidante, antimicrobiana e antiparasitária. Entre os metabólitos bioativos presentes, citam-se lactonas sesquiterpenoides, saponinas, polifenóis e flavonoides. Este estudo investigou os caracteres microscópicos de folha e caule de G. amygdalinum, a fim de ampliar o conhecimento acerca dessa espécie medicinal e apontar estruturas anatômicas características. O material foi fixado e seccionado à mão livre e em micrótomo. Os cortes foram corados ou submetidos aos testes histoquímicos clássicos. Empregou-se microscopia eletrônica de varredura para investigar a ultraestrutura da superfície epidérmica. A folha é anfiestomática com estômatos anomocíticos. Há cutícula estriada, tricomas glandular e tector e mesofilo dorsiventral. Em secção transversal, a nervura central e o pecíolo têm contorno planoconvexo. Ambos mostram vários feixes vasculares colaterais e poucos cristais de oxalato de cálcio. No caule, a epiderme permanece e o felogênio tem ins...

Taxonomic Implication of Integrated Chemical, Morphological, and Anatomical Attributes of Leaves of Eight Apocynaceae Taxa

“…The epidermal tissue of Plumeria rubra and Rauwolfia serpentine has been reported to have a thick cuticle [40]. Similar results are reported by Poornima et al [33], Duarte and Larrosa [20], and Albert et al [45], who reported that the epidermis consisted of a single layer and was covered with a thick cuticle in some members of Apocynaceae.…”

“…The trichomes of Carissa macrocarpa has been reported as non-glandular [13]. Additionally, Mandevilla coccinea trichomes are non-glandular, unicellular, and with acute or round apex [20]. Akyalçın et al [44] reported that the hairs of Amsonia orientalis are unicellular.…”

“…The vascular bundles of the studied species are similar in shape, and they are of a bi-collateral type with a crescent shape (Figure 4); however, they are straight and slightly concave in C. carandas only (Figure 4C). A similar structure of the vascular bundle was investigated in Nerium indicum [48], Mandevilla coccinea [20], and Aspidosperma spruceanum [46].…”

“…The stomata in Apocynaceae plants were reported as anomocytic in Geissospermum argenteum [18] and Asclepias sp. [11], anisocytic in Catharmthus roseus, and paracytic in Carissa congesta, C. spinururn [19], and Mandevilla coccinea [20].…”

“…Additionally, cardiac glycosides, triterpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, and sesquiterpenes were characterized from different extracts of C. carandas [28]. Arrays of metabolites comprising triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, cardenolide, iridoid-glucosides, and sterols were reported from Thevetia neriifolia [20]. Biologically, these plants exhibited several biological activities such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, analgesic, gastroprotective, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective activity [29].…”