Microscopic characterization of five Artemisia crude herbs using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and microscopic quantitative analysis

Abstract

Artemisia annua, Artemisia argyi, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia leucophylla and Artemisia lavandulaefolia are five herbal species of Artemisia usually misidentified, adulterated or substituted in commerce. Using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microscopic quantitative analysis, the transverse sections, morphological, powder and quantitative microscopic features of glandular trichome density and area were observed for correct authentication. The results indicated that microscopic characteristics such as the distribution of fiber bundles in the vascular bundle of the main vein, the shape of xylem, the density and type of non-glandular trichomes, the morphology of T-shaped non-glandular trichomes, the type of calcium oxalate crystals, and the number and size of glandular trichomes can be used to authenticate the five Artemisia crude herbs. Differences in the morphology and density of glandular and non-glandular trichomes are key features for the identification of five Artemisia species. Therefore, our study provides a more comprehensive microscopic identification diagram and additional microscopic evidence for the five Artemisia species. HighlightsThis study provides a more comprehensive microscopic identification diagram and statistical information on the glandular trichome density and area for accurate authentication of five Artemisia herbs using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and microscopic quantitative analysis.

The Dynamic Accumulation Rules of Chemical Components during the Medicine Formation Period of Angelica sinensis and Chemometric Classifying Analysis for Different Bolting Times Using ATR-FTIR

“…The differences in the accumulation rules of ligustilide and phthalides in other medicinal parts of A. sinensis from April to October were analyzed by GC-MS. Microscopic identification technology is one of the most practical methods for identifying microstructures, tissues, cells, and subsequent contents [27]. Limited research has been undertaken regarding the identification and microscopic characteristics of the bolting root structure of A. sinensis.…”

Comparative study of the micromorphological and anatomical characteristics of two Artemisia species

“…In addition, trichomes may be involved in the control of water loss and temperature regulation (Johnson, 1975). Morphological variability in the genus Artemisia is a well-known phenomenon and occurs at different levels of organization (Torrell et al, 1999;Kreitschitz, 2003). The most variable feature at the species level of this genus is leaf morphology.…”

“…The most variable feature at the species level of this genus is leaf morphology. The shape of leaves often vary along the stem of an individual, but there are also differences between individuals of the same species (Kreitschitz, 2003). Numerous researchers have also studied the anatomical characteristics (especially of the leaves) of Artemisia species (Rabie et al, 2006;Noorbakhsh et al, 2008;El-Sahhar et al, 2011;Konowalik and Kreitschitz, 2012;Hussain et al, 2019;Janaćković et al, 2019;Liu et al, 2022).…”

“…The shape of leaves often vary along the stem of an individual, but there are also differences between individuals of the same species (Kreitschitz, 2003). Numerous researchers have also studied the anatomical characteristics (especially of the leaves) of Artemisia species (Rabie et al, 2006;Noorbakhsh et al, 2008;El-Sahhar et al, 2011;Konowalik and Kreitschitz, 2012;Hussain et al, 2019;Janaćković et al, 2019;Liu et al, 2022). Characteristics of the leaf epidermis such as size and shape of epidermal cells, distribution and orientation of stomata, size of guard cells, number of subsidiary cells, type of glandular or non-glandular trichomes are important for species identification (Dickison, 2000).…”