Morphological, anatomical and phytochemical profiling of Withania Somnifera (L.) Dunal cultivated in Gia Lai, Vietnam

Tóm tắt

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a medicinal species extensively investigated for its pharmacological activities; however, region-specific pharmacognostic data remain limited, particularly for materials cultivated in Southeast Asia. This study aimed to establish a comprehensive diagnostic profile of W. somnifera cultivated in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, integrating morpho-anatomical and preliminary phytochemical analyses. Macroscopic, anatomical, and powder microscopic characteristics were systematically investigated, alongside preliminary phytochemical screening using a modified Ciuley fractionation approach. The Vietnamese specimens exhibited typical species-specific traits, including pubescent aerial organs, swollen roots, and characteristic orange-red berries. Anatomical analysis revealed abundant calcium oxalate crystals, branched multicellular trichomes, dorsiventral mesophyll organization, and the presence of intraxylary phloem, all of which represent key diagnostic features. Powder microscopy further confirmed the presence of characteristic vessel elements, starch granules, and crystal morphotypes. Phytochemical screening revealed an organ-specific distribution of secondary metabolites, with sterol/triterpenoid-like constituents broadly detected, alkaloids predominant in roots, and carotenoids abundant in leaves and fruits. Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and cardiac glycosides were distributed across multiple organs. These findings provide a robust set of region-specific diagnostic markers supporting authentication, quality control, and future standardization of Vietnamese-cultivated W. somnifera, thereby contributing valuable data to the global pharmacognostic database.