Morphological and anatomical analysis of the clary sage herbal drug (Salviae sclareae herba)

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the aboveground parts (herba) of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.), with an emphasis on the investigation of its surface structures. After the procedure of the primary processing and drying of the plant material, it was determined that the composition of the crushed herbal drug Salviae sclareae herba showed the presence of parts of leaves, bracts, flowers and axis of the inflorescence, stems, and a small amount of ripe nuts. The analysis of the surface structures of the drug parts on a stereomicroscope and then on permanent microscopic slides indicated the presence of two functional types of trichomes (glandular and non-glandular). Non-glandular mechanical trichomes are found in the unicellular and multicellular forms while glandular trichomes are differentiated as capitate, with a greater number of subtypes, and peltate. Peltate trichomes are most common on the calyx and corolla while capitate are most abundant on the surface of the stem and leaf. Further studies should be directed toward the chemical characterization of the essential oil of the herb and individual organs present in the glandular trichomes, along with the investigation of its pharmacological effects.