Pharmacognostic study of Pinus sylvestris L. microstrobils

Aim of the research. Pharmacognostic study of the pine microstrobils (Pinussylvestris, L), growing in Buryatia. Material and methods. The object of the study was microstrobils Pinus sylvestris, L, growing in the Republic of Buryatia, formed as waste during pollen harvesting. Standardization of plant raw materials was carried out according to the methods specified in State Pharmacopoeia XIV. Determination of essential oil content was carried out by hydrodistillation using a modified Clevenger attachment. The amount of hydroxycinnamic acids was determined by the spectrophotometric method in terms of chlorogenic acid. Results. The diagnostic external and microscopic signs of raw material P. sylvestri microstrobili were determined. Whole or partially crumbled microstrobili are generative buds collected in spike-shaped dense inflorescences located at the base of young shoots, ovate-conical or elongated-ovoid in shape, which consist of an axis with microsporophylls located on it. Microscopic analysis of microsporo-phylls showed that the inner layers of the epidermis consist of wide polygonal cells penetrated by pore tubules, the surface layers - of rectangular low cells with a thickened cell wall, on which fibrous thickenings (exotecia) are observed. On the transverse section, vertically elongated cells of the epidermis are visible, with abundant slit-like pores, yellowish in color. To establish the authenticity of raw materials, it is proposed to use qualitative reactions for the detection of essential oils, tannins and the determination of chlorogenic acid by TLC. To quantify the content of active substances, methods for determining the content of essential oil (the degree of grinding of raw materials is 7 mm, the duration of hydrodistillation is 2 hours) and the amount of hydroxycinnamic acids in terms of chlorogenic acid (the extractant is ethyl alcohol 60% in a ratio of 1:100, the degree of grinding of raw materials 1 mm, extraction duration - 60 min twice) were developed. The indicators of good quality were determined: extractive substances extracted by purified water - at least 20%; extractives extracted with ethyl alcohol 60% - not less than 20%; the content of essential oil on dry matter - not less than 0.3%; the sum of hydroxycinnamic acids in terms of chlorogenic acid - not less than 1.0%; humidity - no more than 10%; total ash - no more than 10%; ash insoluble in 10% hydrochloric acid - no more than 3%; parts that have changed color (darkened and blackened) - no more than 1%; needles - no more than 1%; organic impurities - no more than 2%; mineral impurity - no more than 1%; particles passing through a 3 mm sieve (for whole raw materials) - no more than 5%; particles that do not pass through a 7 mm sieve (for crushed raw materials) - no more than 5%; particles passing through a 0.5 mm sieve (for crushed raw materials) - no more than 5%. Conclusion. For the first time a pharmacognostic study of P. sylvestris microstrobiles, which are formed as waste products during pollen harvesting, was carried out. The results of the study can be used to create new herbal remedies from pine microstrobils, as well as for introduction into official medicine as a medicinal plant material, and will also solve the problem of complex processing of raw materials and reduce the amount of waste.