ABSTRACT:
Histochemical analysis of medicinal plants and raw materials is aimed at studying the localization of various chemical compounds and their metabolic products within plant tissues. This article presents the findings of a histochemical study of the leaves, inflorescences, and stems of Lophanthus shrenkii. Lophanthus shrenkii Levin (synonym: Nepeta schrenkii (Levin) Sennikov), a member of the Lamiaceae Lindl. family, is of particular interest as a potential source of medicinal preparations. This species has a relatively limited geographic range, occurring in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. In Kazakhstan, its natural habitat includes the Karkaraly and Bektauata Mountains, the Saur-Tarbagatai range, the Dzungarian and Kyrgyz Alatau, the Karatau, and the Western Tien Shan. In traditional medicine, Lophanthus shrenkii is used to treat respiratory conditions, reduce fever, combat fatigue (asthenia), and improve male potency. Research on various Lophanthus species has demonstrated a range of pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, antitussive, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and sedative activities. Objective. To determine the localization features of specific groups of secondary metabolites in the aerial parts of Lophanthus shrenkii growing in Central Kazakhstan at the microscopic level. Materials and Methods. Cross-sections of the stems and inflorescences of Lophanthus shrenkii were fixed in Strauss-Fleming solution, after which histochemical reactions were performed to determine the location and identify essential oils, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccharides, and alkaloids.Microscopic features and histochemical tests were studied according to the methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan using a binocular microscope NINGBO SUNNY Instruments Co EX30 with a digital camera Altami 8.5 Mpix. During photo processing, Altami Studio software was used. Results. Histochemical methods using light microscopy were employed to determine the localization of biologically active substances in the studied plant material.The presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and essential oil was confirmed. The absence of sesquiterpene lactones, polysaccharides, and alkaloids in the studied plant material was established. Conclusion. For the first time, the localization of secondary metabolites in the tissues of Lophanthus shrenkii was studied using histochemical tests.The results of histochemical studies can be used to confirm the authenticity, identification, and standardization of the aerial parts of Lophanthus shrenkii.