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ABSTRACT:
The present study was carried out to establish the pharmacognostical characters of stem of Tribulus terrestris L. No reports are available on the pharmacognostical studies of the stem; hence, the present study was carried out to help in identification of this plant for the future references. The microscopical studies of stem revealed the presence of cluster crystals, non- glandular hairs, starch granules, lignified fibers, pitted wood parenchyma, trachides and lignified spiral and pitted xylem vessels.
KEYWORDS:
Tribulus terrestris, Zygophyllaceae, pharmacognostical study, stem.
INTRODUCTION:
The genus Tribulus belongs to family Zygophyllaceae comprises approximately 25 species which grow as prostrate hairy herbs in tropical and warm regions1,2. Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) (Fig. 1) is commonly known as devil's thorn, cat head, puncture vine, goat head and caltrop3. It is a herbaceous, annual, prostrate or semierect, diffusely branched herb4; native in dry and sandy districts in South Europe to Central Asia and in tropical and South Africa 5, growing in India, other warm countries such as Ceylon6, desert plains, waste ground, weed of cultivation and Mediterranean region1. It is used in folk medicine in India, China, Bulgaria and other countries to increase spermatogenesis, for treatment of eye troubles, edema, abdominal distension, leucorrhea cardiovascular diseases and impotence, as aphrodisiac, galactagogue, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal and diuretic4,7,8.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Plant material: The leaves of T. terrestris were collected during the flowering and fruiting stage in October 2004 from the green areas of Minia University Campus, Minia, Egypt. A voucher specimen of the plant is deposited in the Herbarium of Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Egypt (Minia-04-Mar-TT).
Microscopic studies: T. S., Surface preparation and powder of the stem were used for observation of various microscopic features.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Macroscopical character:
The herb (Fig. 2 and 3) has a short woody stem base from which arise several slender hairy branches. The branch extends often to 30-70 cm long and has a diameter of 2 to 5 mm; the internodes vary from 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm long. The surface of the stem is smooth and of green to greenish- brown color. The stem is broken with short fracture and has bitter taste and faint odor.
Microscopical character:
1- The basal part of the stem:
A transverse section in the...