THE SPECIE PARIETARIA LUSITANICA L., CAULINE AND FOLIAR HISTOANATOMICAL STUDY Mariana Arcuş, Gabriela Lilios, Emanuela Gheorma, Corina Moromete

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "THE SPECIE PARIETARIA LUSITANICA L., CAULINE AND FOLIAR HISTOANATOMICAL STUDY Mariana Arcuş, Gabriela Lilios, Emanuela Gheorma, Corina Moromete"

Merry Underwood
5 years ago
Views:

1 THE SPECIE PARIETARIA LUSITANICA L., CAULINE AND FOLIAR HISTOANATOMICAL STUDY Mariana Arcuş, Gabriela Lilios, Emanuela Gheorma, Corina Moromete OVIDIUS CONSTANŢA UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF PHARMACY Summary This paper is part of a large histologic, pharmacognostic and phytochemical study of the Parietaria lusitanica L. (Urticaceae family), medical specie, for long time empirically utilised in treatment of wounds and furunculosis. In this work it was histologic analyzed the inferior, medium and superior part of stem as well as the leaves which grows in those three parts of the stem. The transversal sections and their coloring were accomplished by techniques specific to vegetal histology while the microscopic images of the preparations were realized with the help of a digital camera. The analysis of the stem and leaf sections highlighted some similarities but also many structural differences in the three zones. The passing from the primary structure of the superior side of the stem to the secondary structure of the basal side of the stem was more striking. Key words: Parietaria lusitanica, medicinal plants, histologic study. arcusmariana@yahoo.com Introduction Genus Parietaria is part of the family Urticaceae, whose representatives are well known for their smarting properties due to the abundance of hairs that contain formic acid (Tamas, 2005). The plant species of the genus Parietaria, though part of this family and having the vegetative organs covered by tectorial and glandular hairs, do not have smarting properties (Stănescu et al., 2004). The studied specie Parietaria lusitanica L. (Fig. 1), it was collected from the area of Toulouse (France), a zone where the plant develops around walls, ruins, forest edges and cliffs etc. In the popular medicine, it is used by the locals to heal wounds, burns, and eczemas. In the Romanian flora can be encountered sporadically on rocks in south Dobrogea and Banat the Parietaria serbica Panč, the specie which is considered endemic and, according to some authors, synonymous to Parietaria lusitanica L. (Săvulescu et al.,1952). It is herbaceous, short and annual plant, with petiolate, alternate and oval leaves with rounded base. The flowers are small, disposed in type 4, polygamous, axial dichasial cymes. It blooms in May-August. Fig. 1 - Parietaria lusitanica L. Material and methods In view of the histo-anatomical study, the material represented by vegetative organs (stem and leaves) was submitted to several 385

-the sections obtained were submitted to the process of water sterilization by sodium hypochlorite for 20-35 minute.

2 stages: -the fixation and conservation of the fresh material was accomplished in 70% ethylic alcohol. -the sectioning was done manually, with the help of a hand microtome and of the botanical razor, using elder marrow as support. -the sections obtained were submitted to the process of water sterilization by sodium hypochlorite for minute. Afterwards, they were washed with acetic and distilled water (Andrei and Paraschivoiu, 2003; Șerbănescu Jitariu et al., 1983). The sections were then coloured through double coloration, namely: iodine green and ruthenium red (coloration used in the histoanatomical vegetal studies). The sections were first coloured with iodine green (1 minute), washed with 90% ethylic alcohol, and then coloured with ruthenium red (1 minute) and washed with distilled water. The coloured sections were inserted into drops of glycero-gelatine, between a microscope slide and a cover slip, realizing thus permanent preparations. Color photographs were taken of the preparations under the OPTIKA photonic microscope, with a Canon A540 digital photo camera. Photo scale = 100 µm. Results and discussions The microscopic study on the cross section through the stem, superior region presents: -the contour of the transversal section is irregular-elliptic, with different size ribs, delineating shallow or deeper channels (Fig.2); -the epidermis displays isodiametric cells with slightly thicker internal and external walls. Unicellular tectorial hairs can be observed here and there. Their basis is slightly or strongly dilated and their wall is relatively thin; the hair basis is determined by some epidermis cells which are adjacent to it, so that the general image is that of a hair sunk in an epidermis excavation; -additionally, we observed very sparse multicellular secretory hairs (Fig. 3), with cylindrical pedicel that carries a manycelled peltate gland; ribs channesls unicellular tector hairs Fig. 2 - Transversal section through the superior region of the stem (contour irregularelliptic) epidermis with isodiametric cells unicellular tectorial hair multicellular secretory hair Fig. 3 - Transversal section through the superior region of the stem (epidermis with trichomas) -the bark is relatively thick, collenchyma type in ribs (Fig. 4), and parenchymatous in valleculae; the collenchyma is angular type forming 3-4 layers, the size of the cells growing from the epidermis to the inside; the bark does not end with a special type endoderm; -the central cylinder is thick, including numerous libero-ligneous transport fascicles of collateral type, separated by parenchymatous-cellulosic medullar rays (Fig. 5). 386

bark collenchyma type big cell with cellulose walls future sclerenchima cells vessels are radially flattened, while the protoxylem ones are often closed and disorganized.

The marrow is parenchymatous-cellulosic with very big cells and very thin walls leaving meatus between them (Fig. 5). Fig.

5 - Transversal section through the superior region of the stem The xylem vessels have strongly thickened and intensely lignified walls, being disposed in radial rows; the number of vessel rows

The contour of the transversal section is irregular-polygonal, with a deep channel at the adaxial surface, bordered by two parallel ridges.

3 bark collenchyma type big cell with cellulose walls future sclerenchima cells vessels are radially flattened, while the protoxylem ones are often closed and disorganized. At the outside of the phloem elements, in the bark, there are much bigger cells (Fig. 4), with cellulose walls, which form a ring, future sclerenchyma cells. The marrow is parenchymatous-cellulosic with very big cells and very thin walls leaving meatus between them (Fig. 5). Fig. 4 - Transversal section through the superior region of the stem (collenchyma) collateral type liberoligneous transport fascicle meta xilem proto xilem marrow (pith) phloem Fig. 5 - Transversal section through the superior region of the stem The xylem vessels have strongly thickened and intensely lignified walls, being disposed in radial rows; the number of vessel rows varies from 1 to 3 inside the fascicles (Fig.6). Leaf from the superior region of the stem The petiole (Fig. 7). The contour of the transversal section is irregular-polygonal, with a deep channel at the adaxial surface, bordered by two parallel ridges. The epidermis displays relatively big cells, slightly high, except the adaxial channel where these are isodiametric or slightly tangentially lengthened. At the epidermis level there are numerous hairs, very long and of different thickness, having the same structure as those from the stem, always with a pointed tip and often with a strongly dilated basis, supported by a U shaped pedestal. The fundamental parenchyma is meatus type, the cells of the hypodermic layers being slightly collenchymatised. deep channel bordered by two parallel ridges epidermal hairs cellulosic parenchyma protoxilem metaxilem xylem vessels in radial rows big cells future sclerenchyma Fig. 6 - Transversal section through the superior region of the stem (vascular fascicle) Inside the same fascicle, the vessel rows are separated by cellulosic parenchyma. The phloem, in a visibly smaller quantity than the xylem, is made up of sieve-like tubes and adjoining cells. The protophloem 387 collateral type liberoligneous transport fascicles epidermis Fig. 7 - Transversal section through the petiole of the leaf from the superior region of the stem In the fundamental parenchyma there are 3 transport fascicles of collateral type, with primary structure similar to those from the superior third of the stem, with the difference that the xylem vessels are irregularly dispersed.

Foliar blade. Seen from the front, the upper epidermis includes polygonal contour cells, with straight or easily curved lateral walls.

8), bigger than the usual ones, which contain calcium carbonate and, can thus be placed in the cystolith category (Metcalfe and Chalk, 1972).

9 - The lower epidermis of the leaf from the superior region of the stem (frontal view) cell containing calcium carbonate (cystolith) Fig.

hairs on the surface unit and of different lengths; the shorter ones always have a bent tip. This epidermis also has anomocytic type stomata, the limb is hypostomatic (Fig. 9).

4 Foliar blade. Seen from the front, the upper epidermis includes polygonal contour cells, with straight or easily curved lateral walls. Long one-celled tectorial hairs are present here and there; their tip is pointed and they have a visibly dilated basis. Also, there are circular contour epidermis cells (Fig. 8), bigger than the usual ones, which contain calcium carbonate and, can thus be placed in the cystolith category (Metcalfe and Chalk, 1972). polygonal contour cells anomocytic type stomata unicellular tectorial hair cells with irregular contour Fig. 9 - The lower epidermis of the leaf from the superior region of the stem (frontal view) cell containing calcium carbonate (cystolith) Fig. 8 - The upper epidermis of the leaf from the superior region of the stem with cystolith (frontal view) The lower epidermis has cells with irregular contour, with waved walls, more numerous tectorial hairs on the surface unit and of different lengths; the shorter ones always have a bent tip. This epidermis also has anomocytic type stomata, the limb is hypostomatic (Fig. 9). In both epidermises corresponding to the nervures, there are sparse and short secretory hairs, with multicellular pedicel with multicellular peltate gland. In the transversal section through the foliar blade, the median nervure (Fig. 10) is highly protuberant to the abaxial side, having the same shape (polygonal ribbed) and structure as the petiole. At this level, the epidermis has numerous tectorial hairs, and the cells are visibly lengthened radially, with the inner and outer walls thicker than the others. median nervure transport fascicles tectorial hairs Fig Transversal section through the foliar limb of the leaf from the superior region of the stem. transport fascicles Fig Transversal section through the foliar limb of the leaf from the superior region of the stem (vascular fascicle from median nervure). The three transport fascicles (Fig. 11), are separated by uniseriate rays, while the xylem vessels have an irregular disposition with very few cellulosic parenchyma cells between them. Apart from the numerous tectorial hairs from the inferior side, at the superior side 388

the median nervure has very few secretory hairs with long pedicels (bi- or tri- cellular pedicel) with a multicellular peltate gland.

by a very thin cuticle. Some cells are extremely big, strongly deepened in mesophyll, representing cystolithic formations, visible in the form of spherical cells on shallow sections through the leaf.

In both epidermises, especially in the inferior one, there are tectorial hairs, some with straight tip and others with curved tip (uncinate).

5 the median nervure has very few secretory hairs with long pedicels (bi- or tri- cellular pedicel) with a multicellular peltate gland. Between the lateral nervures, the superior epidermis has much bigger cells than the inferior one, always strongly lengthened tangentially, with the external wall thicker than the others and covered by a very thin cuticle. Some cells are extremely big, strongly deepened in mesophyll, representing cystolithic formations, visible in the form of spherical cells on shallow sections through the leaf. At the same side, some epidermis cells are smaller, with the external wall convex or needle-shaped. The inferior epidermis has visibly smaller cells, isodiametric or slightly lengthened tangentially. In both epidermises, especially in the inferior one, there are tectorial hairs, some with straight tip and others with curved tip (uncinate). The mesophyll is differentiated into palisadic tissue on the superior side and lacunal tissue at the inferior side. The palisadic tissue is one-layered, compact, occupying 40-50% from the mesophyll thickness. The lacunal tissue contains 3-4 layers of cells slightly lengthened tangentially, with relatively small lacunae. Stem medium region. In regard to the level analyzed before, the following differences can be observed: -the contour of the transversal section becomes ovate-elliptical (Fig. 12), with strongly subdued ribs; the frequency of the secretory hairs is maintained the same. The degree of collenchymatization of the bark is much smaller; -at the internal side of the bark, numerous formations of different size can be distinguished, some lengthened radially, other lengthened tangentially, with much thicker walls than those of the surrounding cells; this type of formations seems to be mechanical cells sclerenchyma type with moderately thickened walls, but cellulosic. The marrow (pith) includes big cells, of polygonal contour, with thin walls and with extremely small meatus (Fig. 13). Fig Transversal section through the middle region of the stem. The contour is ovateelliptical epidermis cortex thin phloem ring xylem ring pith Fig Transversal section through the middle region of the stem medullary rays Fig Transversal section through the middle region of the stem (portion from the lignin ring) The transport tissue forms two sinuous concentric rings: - an external one, thin, phloem; - an internal one, thicker, xylem, resulted from completely lignified fascicles and medullar rays moderately sclerified and intensely lignified (Fig. 14). 389

the persistence of the cellulosic parenchyma between the rows of vessels or on their flanks. cells radially lenghtened tectorial hair cystoliths Fig.

sclerenchymatous cells xylem secondary structure secretory hair with pedicel and peltate gland Fig.

anterior level, this time, it can be seen that at the edge of foliar limb, the tectorial hairs are very thickset, have different lengths, and are all more or less bent, sometimes parallel to the

6 In some big fascicles (Fig.15), the xylem already has a secondary structure: big vessels dispersed irregularly and separated by xylem fibres with thickened and lignified walls; the primary xylem can also be recognized after the persistence of the cellulosic parenchyma between the rows of vessels or on their flanks. cells radially lenghtened tectorial hair cystoliths Fig The upper epidermis (frontal view) of the leaf from the middle region of the stem (cystoliths and tector hair). sclerenchymatous cells xylem secondary structure secretory hair with pedicel and peltate gland Fig Transversal section through the middle region of the stem (bark with sclerenchymatous cells) Leaf from the median region of the stem Compared to the elements observed in the leaf from the anterior level, this time, it can be seen that at the edge of foliar limb, the tectorial hairs are very thickset, have different lengths, and are all more or less bent, sometimes parallel to the epidermis along most of their length. At least from the basal part, the tectorial hairs are alive, and rich in content. The epidermis cells, near those with cystolithes (Fig. 16), are radially lengthened, perpendicular on them. In the epidermis from around the nervures there are secretory hairs with pedicels and peltate gland (Fig. 17). The entire superior side of the blade is slightly wavy: angular protuberances occur here and there and delineate the superficial vallecules, in both formation categories, the cells being strongly lengthened tangentially and with a quite thick external wall. In this lower epidermis are also presented the anomocytic type stomata (Fig. 18). tectorial hair with dilated basis Fig The lower epidermis of the leaf from the middle region of the stem (tector hair and secretory hair). stomata Fig The lower epidermis of the leaf from the middle region of the stem (frontal view) The same irregular contour, with different size ribs, is also visible at the level of the median nervure. Here all the epidermis cells are radially lengthened, sometimes needleshaped, with strongly thickened external 390

wall. In a leaf located in the middle of the stem, the blade is thicker, the palisade cells are taller (occupying up to 70% of mesophyll thickness Fig.

20 - Transversal section through the basic region of the stem secondary xylem ring Fig.

with heavily dilated basis, and with 5-7 epidermis cells leaning on it.

Stem inferior region (basis) At this level, the stem is thicker (Fig. 20). The epidermis cells are extremely small, compared to the subjacent ones.

The cells with thick cellulosic walls from the bark are much bigger.

7 wall. In a leaf located in the middle of the stem, the blade is thicker, the palisade cells are taller (occupying up to 70% of mesophyll thickness Fig.19) with verysinuous lateral walls. bark mesophyll taller palisade cell epidermis marrow tectorial hairs Fig Transversal section through the basic region of the stem secondary xylem ring Fig Transversal section through the foliar limb of the leaf from the middle region of the stem Some tectorial hairs, mostly placed at the edges of the blade, are extremely big, with heavily dilated basis, and with 5-7 epidermis cells leaning on it. The tectorial hairs are more frequent than in the superior stem leaves, both in the length of the nervures and as well in between them, most of them having an uncinate tip. Stem inferior region (basis) At this level, the stem is thicker (Fig. 20). The epidermis cells are extremely small, compared to the subjacent ones. The tectorial hairs are much sparser. The collenchyma has become tangential, the cells having much more thicker walls than in the previous levels. The cells with thick cellulosic walls from the bark are much bigger. The secondary xylem ring is thicker; in the primary xylem the cellulosic parenchyma predominates; this is where remains of vessels, rings or their spires can be observed (Fig. 21). tangential collenchyma Fig Transversal section through the basic region of the stem Leaf from the basic region of the stem In the leaves from the basal part of the stem, the epidermis cells have irregular contour, with waved lateral walls on both sides of the blade, while the cells with cystoliths (Fig. 22) are more frequent on the surface unit. cystoliths Fig The upper epidermis (frontal view) of the leaf from the basic region of the stem (cystoliths) 391

uncinate tectorial hair anomocytic type stomata Fig. 23 - The lower epidermis of the leaf from the basic region of the stem (frontal view) epidermis cells palisadic tissue Fig.

23), has cells with waved walls, anomocytic type stomata, uncinate tectorial hairs and very sparse, short, multicellular secretory hairs.

8 uncinate tectorial hair anomocytic type stomata Fig The lower epidermis of the leaf from the basic region of the stem (frontal view) epidermis cells palisadic tissue Fig Transversal section through the foliar limb of the leaf from the basic region of the stem The inferior epidermis (Fig.23), has cells with waved walls, anomocytic type stomata, uncinate tectorial hairs and very sparse, short, multicellular secretory hairs. In the transversal section, many cells from the upper epidermis have a triangular contour, becoming almost needle-shaped. The palisadic tissue (Fig. 24), has cells with slightly waved lateral walls. The median nervure is very widened, which is why the three transport fascicles are very distant one from the other. The frequency of the tectorial hairs is smaller than in the leaves from the middle and the superior part of the stem. Conclusions The observations on the transversal sections of Parietaria lusitanica L. stems led to the following conclusions: - from the superior side towards the basis, the stem contour turns from elliptically irregular, with marked ribs and grooves in the superior region, to elliptically oval with softer ribs in the median area and then rounded and thicker at basal level; - the one-celled tectorial hairs become sparser and sparser from the superior region towards the stem basis; - the pluricellular secretory hairs, with cylindrical pedicel and pluricellular peltate gland, have the same frequency in the superior and median regions of the stem and are sparser in the basal one; - the bark, thicker in the superior part of the stem, becomes thinner and thinner towards the median and inferior parts and it is mostly collenchymatous type. There are large sclerenchymatous type cells in its structure, with moderately thickened walls. - at the level of the central cylinder, one can observe the passing from the primary structure of the superior side to the secondary structure in the basal one. The histoanatomical study of the Parietaria lusitanica L. leaf has highlighted certain structural similarities and differences in the leaves from the three regions of the stem: superior, median and basal. Thus: - the leaf blade displays the highest thickness in the leaves from the median region, where the palisadic tissue occupies 70% of the mesophyll thickness; - the one-celled tectorial hairs with uncinate tip have the highest frequency on the leaves in the median region, both along the nervures length and between them; - the secretory hairs with pluricellular pedicel and pluricellular peltate gland are located at the nervures and are very sparse in all the leaves; - the blade is hypostomatic in the leaves from all three regions and type anomocytic; - the cells with cystoliths have the highest frequency per surface unit in the basal leaves. The median nervure has three phloem fascicles which are set at a distance one 392

9 from the other in the leaves from the basal side, where the nervure is very widened. The palisadic tissue has cells with slightly waved lateral walls. The median nervure is very widened, which is why the three transport fascicles are very distant one from the other. References Andrei M., Paraschivoiu R. M.: Microtehnică botanică, 2003, Ed. Niculescu, Bucureşti. Metcalfe C.R., Chalk, L.: Crassulaceae, Anatomy of the Dicotyledons, 1972, Clarendon Press, Oxford. Săvulescu Tr., E.I. Nyarady, L. Alexandrescu, Al. Beldie, Al. Buia, C.C. Georgescu, Gh. Grințescu, M. Gușuleac, I. Grințescu, I. Morariu, I. Prodan, E. Țopa: Flora R.P.R., vol. I, 359, 1952, Ed. Academiei R.P.R., Bucuresti. Stănescu U., Hăncianu M., Miron A., Aprotosoaie C.: Plante medicinale de la A la Z; Monografii ale produselor de interes terapeutic, vol. II, , 2004, Ed. Gr. T. Popa, U.M.F., Iasi. Andrei M., Gentiana M., Predan I.,: Practicum de morfologia si anatomia plantelor, 13-66, 1983, Ed. Stiintelor Agricole, Bucureşti. Tamas, M.: Botanică farmaceutică, Sistematică Cormobionta, vol.iii, 56, 2005, Ed. Medicală Universitară Iuliu Hatieganu, Cluj Napoca. 393

FACTS REGARDING THE PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE PLANT Parietaria Lusitanica L.

FACTS REGARDING THE PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE PLANT Parietaria Lusitanica L. Studii şi Cercetări Ştiinţifice Chimie şi Inginerie Chimică, Biotehnologii, Industrie Alimentară Scientific Study & Research Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Food Industry 2011, 12 (2),