Medicinal Plants Morphology and Origin

• Lecture 3, Week 3 (22-27/2/2024) addresses the morphological/microscopical characteristics of medicinal plants and the fundamentals of basic and pharmaceutical sciences.
• Aims include proper pharmaceutical terminology, abbreviations, symbols and identifying active constituents, microscopic examinations, and chemical tests for medicinal plant identification.

Clove

• The clove's origin is traced to the dried flower buds of Eugenia aromaticum, of the family Myrtaceae.
• It should contain no more than 5% stalks and 1% foreign matter.
• 15% V.O. should be yielded.
• It is sourced from Zanzibar island, Ceylon & India.

Lavender

• Lavender originates from the dried flowers of Lavendula officinalis, part of the Labiatae family.
• It is geographically sourced from France and the Mediterranean region.

Hibiscus Flower

• Hibiscus Flower is also known as Karkadeh or Roselle extracted from the dried calyx and epicalyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa of the Malvaceae family.
• It is commonly used in southeast Asia, Africa & south America.

Flowers from family Compositae

• Consists of Pyrethrum, Chamomile (Roman and German), Santonica, Calendula.

Compositae Flowers

• Plants are annual or perennial herbs.
• Flowers have Inflorescence which is a capitulum, called the flower head.
• The receptacle is swollen and flattened or conical with sessile flowers inserted.
• Flowers are small and called florets.
• 2 types of florets found on the capitulum: Ray florets (ligulate florets) and Disc florets (tubular florets).

Calendula

• Calendula, also known as Chinese saffron or marigold florets, originates from the dried ligulate corollas of Calendula officinalis (Compositae family).
• It is used for skin disorders and pain relief.
• Has bactericidal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Its petals and pollen contain triterpenoid esters (anti-inflammatory) and carotenoids like flavoxanthin & auroxanthin (antioxidants that provide the yellow-orange color).
• Calendula flower oil is used topically as anti-inflammatory and for poorly healing wounds.
• Water-soluble flavonoids can cause wound-healing effects.
• Calendula has antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor activity.
• Additional benefits include anti-viral and antifungal properties, reducing bleeding, wound healing, and sunscreen. It is also used for acne, psoriasis, and relieving diaper rash.

Chamomile

• Chamomile (Matricaria recuita) is a flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, native to Europe and Western Asia, but found globally.
• The herb smells slightly like an apple; "chamomile" is derived from the Greek word for "Earth apple."
• There are two main types: German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
• German chamomile is considered more potent and widely used for medicinal purposes.
• Chamomile has been used as an herbal remedy since 500 BC, since the time of Hippocrates.
• It addresses fever, headaches, kidney/liver/bladder problems, digestive upset, muscle spasms, anxiety, insomnia, skin irritations, bruises, gout, ulcers, rheumatic pain, hay fever, inflammation, hemorrhoids, colic & menstrual disorders.
• Roman chamomile includes Chamaemelum nobile Syn. and Anthemis nobilis.
• German chamomile includes Matricaria chamomilla.
• Roman Chamomile is cultivated, German Chamomile is Wild.
• Roman chamomile has numerous ray florets while German chamomile has few.
• Roman chamomile: few disc florets (10-20) whereas German chamomile: numerous disc florets.
• Roman chamomile's hexane extract is azure blue (due to azulene) whereas German chamomile's hexane extract is yellowish-green, converting to blue upon heating.
• Roman chamomile contains Matricin (sesquiterpene lactone) during distillation.
• Chamomile's active constituents include 0.4-2% volatile oil (containing chamomile alcohol) and Sesquiterpene lactone Matricin, which converts to Chamazulene (azure blue color) at 100°C during steam distillation.
• Chamazulene is a terpene with anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties. Coumarins, Flavonoids Apigenin, letulin and Tannins are included.
• A total of 50 flavonoids (including quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, rutin) have been isolated from Chamomile.
• German chamomile is aromatic, bitter stomachic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, spasmolytic, antimicrobial (due to a-bisabolol), possesses antiseptic properties (due to chamazulen), and offers ulcer protection.
• It also addresses insomnia, anxiety, digestive issues, wound healing, eczema, diabetes, and oral health.
• Although German and Roman chamomile share sedative calming properties, German chamomile has strong anti-inflammatory effects (due to chamazulen).
• Roman chamomile has strong antispasmodic effects, especially on muscles.
• Roman Chamomile contains a high level of esters, and is yellow-pale blue in color.
• It is anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, and highly calming.
• Benefits of Roman Chamomile: restful sleep, relief from sore muscles, arthritis, headaches and migraines.
• Roman Chamomile is effective for calming irritation, rage, and mood swings, making it useful for teething, colic, and temper tantrums in children.

Pyrethrum flower

• Is a natural insecticide.
• Originated from the dried expanded flower head of Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium, family Composita.
• It is sourced from Indigenous to Balkans, cultivated in Kenya, Tanzania, Ecuador & Japan.
• There are spherical pollen grains with spiny exine and 3 germ pores with glandular hairs(biseriate stalk & biseriate head), glandular hairs (uniseriate stalk and T-shaped head).
• Active constituents: 1-2% of esters known as pyrethrins, Resin, Flavonoids as apigenin.
• It is harmless to human & warm-blooded animals, used as an insecticide. Also has scabicide and is ectoparasitic in veterinary medicine.

Santonica

• Also known as Wormseed (زهرة الشيح الخرسانى), it originates from the dried unexpanded flower head of Artemisia cina (Family Compositae).
• Its geographical source is TurkuminStan.
• Composed of disc florets enclosed in an involucre, it lacks ray florets.
• Artemisin can expel round worms as ascaris, has little effect on thread worms.
• It may cause toxicity and blurred vision. A gastric lavage of milk is given to precipitate santonin.

1-pollination process

• Second step is fertilization

Structure of the ovule

• Ovule components:
  • Funicle: the seed stalk attaching the ovule to the placenta.
  • Nucellus: the main part of the ovule where the gametophyte develops.
  • Micropyle: a minute pore/opening in the apex for pollen tube entry.
  • Chalaza: the base of the ovule, opposite the micropyle.
• Different shapes of the ovules: Orthospermous, Anatropous, Campylotropous, Amphitropous.