Histochemical Analysis of Raw Materials of Iris scariosa L. Growing in Kazakhstan

The histochemical analysis of both medicinal plants and raw materials enables the researcher to perform studies of the position ofthe diverse chemical substances and metabolites within tissues, which allows them to reveal their distribution and concentration at the cellular level, and also contributes to an understanding of their pharmacological properties and potential application in medical practice. In this article,the results obtained from the histochemical analyses of the leaves, stems, fruits and rhizomes of Iris scariosa L, a medicinal plant with much potential are discussed.

As the materials utilized in the study included transverse stem sections, transverse and superficial sections of leaf sections, transverse rhizome sections, and superficial preparation of Iris scariosa L. fruit, growing in Kazakhstan, the raw material samples wereplaced within Strauss-Fleming’s solution, then transverse sections weremanually put together. Then the production of histochemical reactions enabled the identification and location of the plant’s biologically active matter existing in the form of essential oil, starch, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones and alkaloids. A histochemical analysis of their microscopic characteristics were conducted with a light microscope Biomed-4 in accordance with the proposed methodology of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The results of the study indicated that the use of histochemical methodologies and light microscopy facilitated the localization of biologically active substances in plant raw materials that remain biologically active. Essential oisl, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and sesquiterpene lactones were shown to be present in cross sections of leaves, stem, rhizomes. However, the accumulation of starch was not detected within the organs of the plant.

This study, which situated substances in the tissues of Iris scariosa L that are biologically active was conducted via histochemical tests was inaugural. The results of these tests can serve as a basis to authenticate, identify and standardizethe above-ground and underground sections of Iris scariosa L.