Abstract
Expansion of the range of medicinal plants, especially at the expense of substitute species, increases the sustainability of the raw material base for the local pharmaceutical and medical industry. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, 230 species of medicinal plants are in official use, although about 1500 taxa have potentially useful properties. One of the families with a large number of medicinal objects is Rosaceae. In this family, a promising group is the genus rosehip (Rosa L.), the fruits of which contain a large number of biologically active substances. Rosehip raw material is used in colds, respiratory and genitourinary infections, gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhea, as a choleretic, antidiabetic, and antioxidant agent. The present study is devoted to a comparative anatomical and morphological study of fruits of four species of rosehips (Rosa laxa, Rosa cinnamomea, Rosa spinosissima, Rosa acicularis) of the flora of Central Kazakhstan. Materials and methods. The object of the study was the fruits of four rosehips. Morphological and microscopic parameters were analyzed taking into account the recommendations and methods set forth in the State Pharmacopoeia of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Results and discussion. Comparative study of morphological characters revealed differences between species in shape and surface structure of fruits, color, presence of hypanthium and peduncle. At the microscopic level, differences in the structure of fruit epidermis cells, pulp, color, thickening of cell walls, shape and color of calcium oxalate druses, presence of hairs were noted. Conclusion. For the first time comparative study of fruits of four species of rosehips from Central Kazakhstan on macro- and microscopic level has been carried out; diagnostic features that allow identifying raw materials in whole and crushed form have been determined. The obtained results will serve as a basis for preparation of normative documents for rosehips fruits.