Study of microdiagnostic signs of sea buckthorn leaves

Introduction. The development of new herbal medicinal products requires a constant expansion of the raw material base with both new non-pharmacopoeial medicinal plants and nontraditional morphological groups of raw materials of already highly researched species. The introduction of such herbal substances into medical practice requires their standardization so that it can be possible to obtain and sell herbal medicinal products based on that substances. Thus, this necessitates the development of Product specification files. Objective: to study the microdiagnostic traits of sea buckthorn leaves to complete the section “Microscopy” in the draft of pharmacopoeial monograph for these types of herbal substances. Material and methods. The object of the study is the dried leaves of sea buckthorn (Hippophaё rhamnoides L.) harvested on the territory of the Voronezh region (Ostrogozhsky district) during the period of technical maturity of the fruits. Harvesting and drying of leaves was carried out in accordance with the general pharmacopoeial monograph “Leaves”. Sample preparation of raw materials was carried out using various techniques. Microscopy was carried out according to the general pharmacopoeial monograph “Techniques of microscopic and microchemical research of herbal substances and herbal medicinal products” of State Pharmacopeia (XIV edition) of the Russian Federation by light microscopy on a Biomed 6 microscope (Russia) using a Livenhuk C310 NG video camera (PRC) and Top View software (x86). Results. The main microdiagnostic traits of whole leaves of sea buckthorn have been revealed (reticulated venation; 3 types of trichomas: scutellate, stellate and scutellate-stellate; anomocytic type of stomatal complex (on the underside of the leaf); polygonal cells of the epidermis on the upside and cells of the epidermis with strongly branched walls on the underside of the leaf). Biometric characteristics of the main microdiagnostic traits are also determined. Conclusion. Optimal methods of microscopic examination of sea buckthorn leaves have been selected. Anatomical and diagnostic traits of sea buckthorn whole dried leaves also were established.