Illicium verum Hook. f. and Illicium anisatum L.: Anatomical Characters and their Value for Differentiation

Abstract

In the last years intoxications after consumption of Illicium verum Hook. f. have been reported due to adulterations with I. anisatum L.. Many efforts have already been made to develop a simple method which would enable the detection of I.anisatum in powdered samples of I. verum. Since many controversial facts concerning the value of anatomic characters for differentiation have been published 13 botanically vouchered samples were re-examined by means of light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, SEM, and confocal laser scanning microscopy.All anatomical details show a great variability even between the follicles of a certain aggregate. This is also true for the cuticular striation which has been proposed in literature as reliable character. Special attention was paid to the structure of the aleurone grains of the endosperm and the shape of the calcium oxalate crystals in the testa. In contrast to previous assumptions these characters do not allow a certain differentiation either. However, the presence of hexagonal crystals can serve as indicator for samples of I. anisatum.At present a reliable proof of purity of powdered samples of I. verum seems to be possible by chemical analytical methods only.

Star anise (Illicium verum): Chemical compounds, antiviral properties, and clinical relevance

“…The fruits were picked since it gets ripen when the essential oil is at its maximum. The seeds are sparkling brown or ruddy with high oil content (Chouksey et al, 2010;Fritz, Ölzant, & Länger, 2008;Prajapati, Purohit, Sharma, & T, K., 2006). In the ayurvedic system of medicine, it is commonly used in the rasa: katu, Guna: Lakhu, Teekshna, Virya: Ushra, Vipaka: Katu (Chouksey et al, 2010).…”

Illicium verum: A review on its botany, traditional use, chemistry and pharmacology

“…The seed is either very flat or almost spherical (Editorial Committee of British Pharmacopoeia, 2009). Anatomic characters under light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy, such as cuticle, calcium oxalate crystals and aleurone grains, are valuable for differentiation between I. verum and I. anisatum (Fritz et al, 2008).…”

P53 Expression in Response to Equigan Induced Testicular Injury and Oxidative Stress in Male Rat and the Possible Prophylactic Effect of Star Anise Extracts

“…Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.) is aromatic evergreen trees that grows in China and Vietnam and are well-known herbal medicine used in treatment of stomach aches, insomnia, vomiting, inflammation and rheumatic pain [11]. Star anise crude extracts has been reported to have various biological activities, such as antimicrobial [12] and antioxidant by reducing free radical production and lipid peroxidation [13].…”