Qualitative and Quantitative Content Determination of Macro-Minor Elements in Bryonia Alba L. Roots using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Technique

Determination of Four Major Saponins in Skin and Endosperm of Seeds of Horse Chestnut (Aesculus Hippocastanum L.) Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Positive Confirmation by Thin Layer Chromatography

Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of R. damascena buds and flower petals was used to find the main morphological and anatomical features of these types of medicinal plant material (MPM). The presence of polysaccharides, free and bound monosaccharides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and essential oils was confirmed by chemical and histochemical reactions. The quality indicator of R. damascena buds and flower petals was evaluated in this study; weight loss on drying gave the next result: 6.690.20 for flower petals and 6.650.13 for buds. The swelling index showed a high result for R. damascena flower petals and buds. R. damascena buds swelling index50.2 and R. damascenaflower petals swelling index150.6. The determination of volatile substances by GC/MS shows the presence of 18 volatile compounds in flower petals and buds, this number varies up to 17. Nonadecane, heneicosane, and octadecane are the main components in both medicinal plant materials. Both buds and flower petals contain approximately the same amount of citronellol. Phenylethyl alcohol is present in large amounts in buds but in small amounts in flower petals. R. damascena flower petals and buds are the sources of volatile compounds, phenols, and polysaccharides. The results of our investigation showed great differences and similarities between buds and flower petals of R. damascena. We have confirmed that not only buds but also flower petals could be a source of biologically active substances (BASs) such as essential oils, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds. Flower petals could be an alternative MPM. We would also like to underline the importance of standard documentation for MPM: its macro and microscopic description, harvest time, control techniques of the qualitative composition, and the quantitative content of the main BAS. Because it will help in the production of various high-quality products that can be used in medicine, pharmacy, food, and the perfume industries.

The technological parameters and quality indicators of corn silk were evaluated in this study: specific density, volumetric density, bulk density, porosity, spatial layer, free volume of the layer, the absorption coefficient, weight loss on drying, and extractives. The technology for obtaining a liquid extract of corn silk was developed. The most effective extractant was discovered to be 40% ethanol, with an extraction time of 120 minutes. The qualitative composition and quantitative content of the major groups of biologically active substances (BAS) in the obtained liquid extract were determined. The qualitative composition of the main groups of BAS was determined by conventional chemical reactions. This extract contained free reduced sugars, glycosides (bound reduced sugars), phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and hydroxycinnamic acids. The quantitative content of phenolic compounds was performed by UV-vis-spectrophotometry. Total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids had quantitative contents of 8.25 ± 0.33%, 1.4 ± 0.03%, 2.20 ± 0.06%, 3.30 ± 0.13%, respectively. The acute toxicity study was carried out with a single intragastric administration to outbred unanesthetized white rats of both sexes. Duration of observation of animals was 14 days. It was revealed that corn silk extract at doses of up to 5.0 ml/kg is safe. A single injection of a liquid extract has no effect on internal organs when compared to a control group. Corn silk liquid extract’s hemostatic efficacy was assessed using blood clotting time, prothrombin time, and blood clot retraction index. The corn silk liquid extract reduces blood coagulation time, decreases prothrombin time, and increases the blood clot retraction index. According to these findings, corn silk liquid extract is rich in phytochemicals and possesses a potential therapeutic effect on bleeding disorders. Furthermore, it could be used in the pharmaceutical sciences industry to develop medicines for testing in the treatment of various diseases.

The leaves of different species of the genus Artemisia show considerable inner and external structural diversity. This paper presents a comparative study of the micromorphological features of leaf surface for seven species from different regions of Ukraine: A. absinthium L., A. annua L., A. dracunculus L., A. marschalliana Spreng., A. vulgaris L., A. argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot, and A. verlotiorum Lamotte. The vegetative organs of these plants have potentially significant value as medicinal raw materials. This study was carried out using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The main diagnostic characteristics for each species – in terms of form and structure of epidermal cells, stomata, and trichomes (glandular and non-glandular) – were described and illustrated. Using combinations of selected qualitative micromorphological characteristics of the investigated species of Artemisia, it is possible to detect the species identity of these raw materials.