CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ANATOMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF HIEROCHLOË ODORATA (L.) P.BEAUV LEAVES AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF THEIR SECONDARY METABOLITES

Abstract

Hierochloë odorata (L.) P. Beauv – a plant of the genus Hierochloe, belonging to the family Poaceae, whose roots and above-ground parts have a sweet scent. This rhizomatous perennial plant is native to the cool regions of North America and Europe. It is found in wet meadows, marshes, shaded banks of streams and in mountain canyons, as well as along rivers and lakes. In folk medicine, an infusion of sweet grass is used to stimulate the appetite and improve digestion in chronic gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and colitis, to increase lactation in nursing mothers, and in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. It possesses antiseptic, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its pharmacognostic potential remains underutilized. The study of the macro- and microscopic structure of the leaves, as well as their phytochemical composition, allows for the development of scientifically sound approaches to the standardization and quality control of medicinal plant raw materials. This article analyzes current literature data on the chemical composition, pharmacological properties, and applications of H. odorata. The main microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of the leaves were identified, and groups of biologically active compounds were determined using chemical reactions, which are important for species identification. The morphological and anatomical diagnostic features of H. odorata leaves were investigated, and it was established that the leaves possess paracytic-type stomatal apparatus with gantheloid guard cells, silicate cells, beak-like trichomes along the margin of the leaf blade, and prismatic crystals along the leaf veins. Beneath the upper epidermis are five large motor cells, which are the primary regulators of the leaf’s water balance and cause it to curl under adverse conditions. It was found that the leaves of H. odorata contain biologically active substances such as coumarins, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and polysaccharides. The obtained results can be used to develop methods for quality control of plant raw materials, as well as to compile a monograph on the raw materials of this species.