Anatomical and morphological characteristics of the authenticity of Astragalus zingeri Korsh. herb

Aim to analyse the morphological and anatomical structure of the herb Astragalus zingeri, identifying the diagnostic signs of plant raw material. Material and methods. The object of the study was plant raw materials the herb Astragalus zingeri Korsh., harvested in July, 2020, in the Saratov region, Tatishchevsky district, nearby the Kurdyum station, during the mass flowering period. The State Pharmacopoeia XIV standard was used for macro and microscopic analysis. Results. The macroscopic features of the raw material are: pronounced ribbing of the stem, a small number of pairs of leaflets (46) of an unpaired pinnate leaf, as well as the size of the leaf plate, more pronounced trichomes on the bottom-side of the leaf, shortened, capitate, dense racemes with a pale purple corolla and a long flag. The characteristic microdiagnostic distinguishing features include: sinuous walls of leaf epidermal cells with numerous anomocytic stomata; slightly sinuous walls of the cells of the calyx epidermis; trichomes of the outer side of the calyx with T-shaped hairs with characteristic outgrowths of the cuticle. Conclusion. The revealed macro- and microscopic diagnostic features of the herb Astragalus zingeri make it possible to identify the plant raw material and distinguish it from similar species.