Histochemical Analysis of Aerial part of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L. growing in the Territory of Central Kazakhstan

Histochemical analysis of medicinal plants and raw materials is intended to be used to study the localization of various chemical substances and products of their metabolism in tissues. The article presents the results of histochemical analysis of leaves, flowers and stems of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L. The genus Dracocephalum L. belongs to the family Lamiaceae Lindl. (Labiatae), whose plants are of interest as sources for medicinal preparations. These two species of Dracocephalum are related to Dracocephalum moldavica L., used in folk medicine for respiratory diseases, as an antipyretic agent, for asthenia, as a potency-increasing agent. Studies have shown that some species of Dracocephalum have antibacterial, antitussive, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and sedative properties. To determine the localization features of certain groups of secondary metabolites in the aerial part of Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. and Dracocephalum nutans L. growing in the territory of Central Kazakhstan at the microscopic level. Materials and methods. Cross-sections of stems, flowers, and D. ruyschiana and D. nutans were fixed in Strauss-Fleming solution, after which histochemical reactions were carried out to locate and identify essential oils, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccharides and alkaloids. The study of microscopic features, as well as histochemical tests were carried out according to the methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan using a light microscope Biomed-4. Results and Discussion. The localization of biologically active substances in the studied plant raw materials was determined by histochemical methods using light microscopy. The presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids and essential oil was established. The absence of sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccharides and alkaloids in the studied raw materials was established. Conclusion. The localization of secondary metabolites was studied for the first time by histochemical tests in the tissues of D. ruyschiana and D. nutans. The results of histochemical studies can be used to confirm the authenticity, identification and standardization of the aerial parts of D. ruyschiana and D. nutans.