Morphoanatomical and histochemical characterization of Larreas species (Zygophyllaceae) from Northwestern of Argentina

MARIA INES MERCADO; MARÍA ALEJANDRA MORENO; ANA INÉS RUIZ; IVANA FABIOLA RODRIGUEZ; IRIS CATIANA ZAMPINI; MARÍA INÉS ISLA; GRACIELA INÉS PONESSA

REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE FARMACOGNOSIA

JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2018

0102-695X

Larrea divaricata, L. cuneifolia and L. nitida are evergreen xerophytic shrubsoccurring in Northwestern Argentina used in traditional medicine. The aim ofthis work was to characterize the morphology, anatomy and histochemistry ofthe vegetative organs of Larrea species by light and scanning electronmicroscopy in order to provide supporting data for their correct identification and to determine the site of synthesis and accumulation of its main activecompounds. The shape, number and percentage of coalescence of leaflets,presence or absence of mucrones and rachis and the shape of the stipulesrepresented the main botanical differences between the studied Larrea species.Anatomically three species presented amphystomatic leaves, with thickresinous slightly striated cuticle with resinous deposits, polygonal epidermalcells with straight anticlinal walls, ciclocytic, brachy-paracytic and paracyticstomatal types, non-glandular trichomes and isolateral mesophyll. The positionand abundance of the sclerenchyma at the mid vein and petiole transectionallows the differentiation of the three species been more abundant in L.cuneifolia. Secondary phloem and parenchyma cells presented abundantcalcium oxalate druses and solitary rhomboidal crystals. Epidermal cells andcuticle layer of leaflets and stipules of the three species presented amber resin deposits and content which stained positively for polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins, while mesophyll palisade cells showed small refracting droplets stained positively for lipophilic substances.