The morphological and anatomical study of Wisteria sinensis leaves

Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Glycine chinensis, is a genus of treelike deciduous lianas from the legume family (Fabaceae). In natural conditions, Glycine chinensis is found in the subtropical forests of China, Korea and Japan. Nowadays, the plant is widely cultivated in European countries. Leaves of the plant exhibit the antioxidant,cytostatic effect, flowers inhibit the growth of tubercle bacilli. The seeds are used in Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases and as a diuretic. Aim. To study macro- and microscopic features of Chinese wisteria leaves for standardization of the medicinal plant raw material and development of the quality control method. Materials and methods. The study object was the leaves of Chinese wisteria harvested in the period of mass flowering in the Kyiv region and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The morphological features were studied visually. Preparations from the leaf surface were prepared according to conventional methods. Results and discussion. The main morphological and anatomical features of Chinese wisteria leaves have been determined. Macroscopic features include complex unpaired leaves that have a common petiole and its continuation – rachis, on which there are five pairs of opposite leaves and one apical one. The leaves are large, do not have a toothed edge, pubescent at first, but eventually become smooth; microscopic signs are the dorso-ventral type of theleaf blade structure. The epidermis is covered with a cuticle. The cells of the upper epidermis are parenchymal, slightly convoluted, with evenly thickened membranes. Above the vein, the cells are prosenchymal, elongated along the vein. The lower epidermis is represented by cells of various shapes, parenchymal or having a somewhat elongated shape, sinuous-walled, polygonal. Stomata are frequent and oval. The stomatal apparatus is of anisocyte type. There are numerous hairs along the central vein and on the petiole. The petiole of the leaf has a rounded shape. In the center there is a single conductive bundle surrounded by parenchymal cells. The epidermis consists of small erect cells. There are numerous simple unicellular hairs. The cross-section of the rachis has an oval-triangular shape, the tubercles are ribshaped. Stomata are present. Conclusions. As a result of the studies, the main macroscopic and microscopic features of Chinese wisteria leaves have been determined; they will be used to standardize the medicinal plant raw material and develop the quality control method.