Fruits of Crataegus submollis Sarg.: morphological and anatomical study

Actuality. Fruit of Crataegus L. are successfully used in medicine in the Russian Federation as a source of cardiotonic substances. One of the sources of raw material is Crataegus submollis Sarg., which is cultivated as an edible and ornamental plant everywhere. Previous studies revealed that preparations from fruit of Crataegus submollis Sarg. show diuretic activity and antidepressant action. Therefore, we consider Crataegus submollis Sarg. to be of interest as a new source of medicinal plant raw material, its fruit can be used both fresh and dried. Purpose. The aim of the article is to study the morphological and anatomical features of fresh fruit of Crataegus submollis Sarg. Materials and methods. The material of the study was the fresh and frozen fruit of Crataegus submollis Sarg. collected in September – October 2018 in the Botanical garden of Samara University (Samara). The research was carried out by the method of light microscopy in transmitted and reflected light in the light background. Results. Performed analysis allowed to reveal structural characteristics of fruit of Crataegus submollis Sarg. which included cellular structure of the epidermis, lack of stomatal apparatus in epidermis, presence of cortical pores, trichome characteristics, and seed constitution. Conclusion. Our findings allow to develop the section “Microscopic Signs” of the pharmacopoeial monograph “Fresh Fruit of Crataegus submollis Sarg.”.