Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.
Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Pueraria ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

Based on the research of plant taxonomy and botanical investigation, microscopic characteristics of the root, stem, leaf transverse section and powder of Atropa belladonna were studied for identification of the herb. The research detailed and made clear to the description identification and microscopic characteristics of officinal parts of the herbs. The work provided reference for the identification of A. belladonna herbs and pieces of work in the future, as well as a theoretical basis for the further research, development, medicinal use and the upgrading of quality standards.
Atropa belladonna ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Microscopy ; methods ; Plant Epidermis ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Stomata ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; cytology

Standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica is an important way to solve the "Lemons Problem" of traditional Chinese medicine market. Standards of commodity classes are also helpful to rebuild market mechanisms for "high price for good quality". The previous edition of commodity classes standards of Chinese materia medica was made 30 years ago. It is no longer adapted to the market demand. This article researched progress on standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica. It considered that biological activity is a better choice than chemical constituents for standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica. It is also considered that the key point to set standards of commodity classes is finding the influencing factors between "good quality" and "bad quality". The article also discussed the range of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica, and how to coordinate standards of pharmacopoeia and commodity classes. According to different demands, diversiform standards can be used in commodity classes of Chinese materia medica, but efficacy is considered the most important index of commodity standard. Decoction pieces can be included in standards of commodity classes of Chinese materia medica. The authors also formulated the standards of commodity classes of Notoginseng Radix as an example, and hope this study can make a positive and promotion effect on traditional Chinese medicine market related research.
China ; Drug Industry ; economics ; standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; economics ; standards ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; methods ; standards ; Panax notoginseng ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; economics ; methods ; standards ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards ; Research ; trends

OBJECTIVEBotanical characters of germplasm resources of Dioscorea were observed and compared, which could to offer reference for its genetic improvement, germplasm resource identification and classification.

METHODBased on field cultivation, twenty-four morphological traits of ninety-four Dioscorea germplasm resources were observed or determined. And the morphological differences among germplasm resources were compared by principal component analysis and cluster analysis.

RESULTThere were ample morphological diversity in the twenty-four traits, in especially in leaf size and tuber characters of the ninety-four Dioscorea germplasm resources. The first seven principal components which accounted for 80. 957% of total variance were extracted from the principal component analysis. The ninety-four germplasm resources could be divided into four clusters, which belonging to Dioscorea opposite, D. persimili, D. fordii and D. alata respectively.

CONCLUSIONThere were large morphological variation among germplasm resources on Dioscorea. Identification of germplasm resources of Dioscorea should focus on leaf size and tuber characters.

China ; Cluster Analysis ; Dioscorea ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; Geography ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; genetics ; growth & development ; Principal Component Analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the pharmacognostic characters of an important medicinal plant, Holoptelea integrifolia (H. integrifolia) Roxb.

METHODSThe pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, microscopic, macroscopic and fluorescence analysis.

RESULTSThe characteristic microscopic features of leaves were observed as trichomes, multicellular trichomes, xylem cells, phloem cells, collenchyma, vascular bundles, spongy parenchyma and palisade cells. The characteristic microscopic features of root bark included cork cambium, primary cortex, phloem fibers, medullary rays, endodermis, pericycle and lignified fibers in the transverse section and longitudinal section. The characteristic microscopy of root bark powder showed the presence of cortex cells, sieve tubes, calcium oxalate crystals and lignified fibers. Macroscopic study showed that leaf shape-oval, apex-acute, base-cordate and leaf margin was entire with glabrous surface, bitter taste and characteristic odour. The morphological features of root bark showed deep fissured, rough and firm surface with rhitydome and the periderm parallel to cambium.

CONCLUSIONSVarious pharmacognostic characters observed in this study help in the identification and standardization of H. integrifolia.

Microscopy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Ulmaceae ; anatomy & histology ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo study morpho-anatomical characters and physicochemical analysis of Fumaria indica (F. indica) (Hausskn.) Pugsley, (Fumariaceae), an important medicinal plant used extensively for treating a variety of ailments in various system of indigenous medicine.

METHODSEvaluation of the different parts of the plant was carried out to determine the morpho-anatomical, physicochemical, phytochemical and HPTLC fingerprinting profile of F. indica and other WHO recommended methods were performed for standardization.

RESULTSMorpho-anatomical studies showed compound and pinnatifid leaf, 4 to 6 cm in length, linear and oblong in shape and anomocytic arrangement of stomata, thin walled parenchymatous cells, scattered, sclerenchymatous, capped vascular bundles and radiating medullary rays. Physicochemical studies showed foreign matter 0.2%, loss on drying 6.8%, total ash 16.77%, alcohol and water soluble extractives 8.92% and 20.26%, respectively, sugar 17.75%, starch 22.97% and tannins 2.37%. Phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of carbohydrate, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and sterol. Thin layer chromatography was carried out with different solvents and the best solvent system was chloroform and methanol in 80:20 ratio and revealed 12 spots with different Rf value under UV light 366λ.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of the study can serve as a valuable source of information and provide suitable standards for identification of this plant material for future investigations and applications.

Fumaria ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; Phenotype ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; cytology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; cytology ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo study the hemiparasitic mechanism of Thesium chinense.

METHODThe anatomical structure of T. chinense was studied by using paraffin slice and electron microscope slice. Chlorophyll content was measured by UV spectrometry. Foliar photosynthesis (P(n)) and gas exchange were measured by using a LI-6400 photosynthesis system.

RESULTChloroplast possesses intact granal thylakoid system, lamella was strong. Vascular tissue of T. chinense was strong. Vessel aperture and its transport power were strong both in root and stem. There were many global haustoriums on lateral roots. Vascular tissues were strong inside haustorium, haustorial stylet penetrated epidermis and cortex of host root, and reached pith place, haustorial vessel was integrated with host root vessel. The maximum of P(n) of T. chinense reached 7.06 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1), its water use efficiency was lower, about 0.735 mmol x mol(-1), its transpiration varied notable in daytime and was relatively invariant at nighttime, and the value of daytime was greatly exceed that of nighttime.

CONCLUSIONT. chinense despoils water and nutrition from its host by haustorium. T. chinense can mostly be independent as for C supply by photosynthesis.

Carotenoids ; metabolism ; Cell Respiration ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; metabolism ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; metabolism ; Santalaceae ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; metabolism ; Thylakoids ; metabolism ; Water ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the composition structure of "annual rings" and the formation process of anomalous structures in Sophora flavescens, and further discuss the medicinal parts of S. flavescens.

METHODBased on investigation on S. flavescens in its producing areas, the morphology of root systems was observed, and the developmental anatomy of roots was researched.

RESULTCreeping underground rhizomes of S. flavescen existed in some parts of the north place, there were many differences in appearance characters and microscopic features between these roots and rhizomes. Parenchyma cells in secondary xylem regained meristematic ability, became into anomalous cambia, and then developed into anomalous structures. "Annual rings" in transverse section of S. flavescens were not actually growth rings, they were made up of anomalous parenchyma girdle in secondary xylem and normal secondary structure.

CONCLUSIONRoots are the medicinal parts of S. flavescens. This paper suggests that "annual rings" in the decoction pieces of S. flavescens should be called "annular structure".

Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; growth & development ; Sophora ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; cytology ; growth & development

Plant root hairs are commonly found artifacts in parasitology specimens and may be confused with helminthes by an untrained eye. We report a case of brain tuberculoma where the tissue sample was contaminated with root hair derived from tap water; the presence of this root hair, which mimicked a larva, led to diagnostic confusion. Therefore, tap water should be considered a source of root hair and vegetable matter.
Animals ; Brain Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology ; *Diagnostic Errors ; Helminthiasis/diagnosis ; Helminths/growth & development ; Humans ; Larva/anatomy & histology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plant Roots/*anatomy & histology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculoma/*diagnosis/pathology ; Water

OBJECTIVETo analyse botanical morphology in different populations and give a reference for germplasm evaluation of Changium smyrnioides.

METHODRoots and leaves were comprehensively compared among 10 populations of Ch. smyrnioides in the main distribution area, the foliar morphology similarity coefficient was calculated, and the systematic relationships were constructed based on UPGMA method.

RESULTThere was significant morphological difference among populations of Ch. smyrnioides. Plant shape was divided into the loosed-type, compacted-type and intermediated-type. Leaf split was divided into the lobated-type, parted-type and intermediate-type. Root shape was divided into spherical-type, column-type and spindle-type. Foliar morphology similarity coefficient differed significantly and ranged from 0.234 1 to 0.985 1 among 10 populations of Ch. smyrnioides. Zijinshan population was divided into a unique group when similarity coefficient was 0.37.

CONCLUSIONPlant tightness, lobation depth and root shape could be used as the basis for germplasm evaluation on Ch. smyrnioides. Zijinshan population could be used as a special germplasm to be exploited.

Apiaceae ; anatomy & histology ; classification ; growth & development ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development