Morphological and anatomical study of Chrysaspis aurea leaves

The genus Chrysaspis Desv. of Fabaceae family includes about 20 species distributed in Europe, Central Asia, Western Asia and Africa. There are four species growing in Russia, of which Chrysaspis aurea (Poll.) Greene (Trifolium aureum Pollich) is the most common. This species is widely used in traditional medicine of different countries as a general tonic, for pain syndrome (headaches), dizziness. However, the pharmacopoeia article for medicinal plant raw materials has not been approved. The possibility of using a new species in scientific medicine makes it necessary to study the morphological and anatomical structure of the Chrysaspis aurea. Objective: to conduct a macro-and microscopic study of the structure of the of Chrysaspis aurea leaves; to identify and characterize the signs that are of differential importance in the diagnosis of raw materials. Materials and methods. The study of morphological and anatomical features of Chrysaspis aurea leaves was carried out in accordance with the articles of the state Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation of the XIV edition. Fresh-picked, dried, and fixed raw materials were used for the study. Results. For the first time, macro- and microdiagnostic signs of Chrysaspis aurea leaves were described. Conclusion. For the first time macroscopic and microscopic features of Chrysaspis aurea leaves were identified and described, which can be used to determine the authenticity of raw materials, as well as to develop the sections «External signs» and «Microscopic signs» of modern regulatory documentation.