Leaf structure and phytochemical analysis of Aristolochia baetica, a traditionally used pharmaceutical plant

ABSTRACT

The compact, hypostomatic leaf of Aristolochia baetica was investigated to disclose its structural features and the site and the chemical composition of the secondary metabolites produced. Light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy along with histochemical and phytochemical analyses were completed. The leaf structure revealed a rather uniform mesophyll without distinct palisade and spongy parenchyma, huge epidermal cells, and unique epidermal idioblasts with cutinized cell wall. These cells produced and accumulated a hydrophobic liquid which had a strong positive reaction with histochemical reagents. Ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis revealed the absence of any characteristic fragment ion relative to aristolochic acid and analogs though a high abundance of flavonol 3-O-glycosides was deduced on the basis of MS and MS/MS data.

KEYWORDS:

• Leaf anatomy
• secreting structures
• secondary metabolites

Acknowledgment

We thank Dr. St. Mamouha for technical assistance.