COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ANATOMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF RHEUM TATARICUM L. PLANTS FROM DIFFERENT ECOPOPULATIONS

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26577/EJE.2024.v79.i2-012
        171 117

Abstract

There are about 60 species of the genus Rheum L. (Polygonaceae) distributed mainly in temperate and subtropical Asia, with the largest number (38 species, including 19 endemics) recorded in China. All species of the genus are used as medicinal plants. According to modern pharmacology, the most important property of the rhubarb root is regulation of the stomach and intestine function, due to its laxative effect; rhubarb also has antipyretic properties and antioxidant activity. The high content of dietary fibers provides protection against cardiovascular diseases, and vitamin K is valuable for the prevention of osteoporosis. However, the active ingredients and their mechanism of action have not been sufficiently studied.

Rheum tataricum L., known for its high resistance to drought, salinity, and lack of nutrients is the least studied species of wild rhubarb. The whole plant, and especially the leaves, contains several toxic compounds, in particular anthraquinone glycosides and calcium oxalate crystals.

Here we present the results of a comparative analysis of the anatomical and morphological structure of Rh. tataricum plants from ecopopulations growing in the Balkhash and Karatal districts of the Almaty region. We identified the differences due to the weather and climatic conditions of the ecopopulations. It is important to note that many idioblasts containing calcium oxalate were found in the rhizomes of Rh. tataricum, which prevent animals from eating plants and getting poisoned. The number of idioblasts in the central circle of the Rh. tataricum rhizome was smaller in the Balkhash district than in the Karatal district, while the idioblasts were larger in size in the former district. The medicinal and nutritional value of Rh. tataricum growing in a semi-desert environment indicates a high potential of the species in plant breeding, medicine, and as a food source.

Key words: Rheum tataricum, extract, pharmacology, antioxidant activity, ecopopulation, morphology.

Author Biographies

Meruyert S. Kurmanbayeva, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Corresponding author,  Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor of the Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology of the al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, email: Meruyert.Kurmanbayeva@kaznu.edu.kz)

Nina V. Terletskaya, Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Kazakhstan, Almaty; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, Almaty

Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Environmental Plant Physiology at the Institute of Genetics and Physiology (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: teni02@mail.ru)

Nadezhda G. Gemejiyeva, Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Doctor of Biological Sciences,  Head of Laboratory of Plant Resources of the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction (Almaty, Kazakhstan, email: ngemed58@mail.ru)

Zhanna Zh. Karzhaubekova, Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction (Almaty, Kazakhstan, email: zhanna1322@mail.ru)

Natalya O. Kudrina, Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Kazakhstan, Almaty; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, Almaty

Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, email: Natalya.kudrina@kaznu.edu.kz)

Malika Yerbay, Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Kazakhstan, Almaty; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, Almaty

Researcher at the Laboratory of Environmental Plant Physiology of the Institute of Genetics and Physiology (Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: teni02@mail.ru)

Adil B. Kusmangazinov, Institute of Genetics and Physiology, Kazakhstan, Almaty; Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, Almaty

PhD in Geobotany, assistant professor at the Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology of the al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, email: adil_06.1996@mail.ru)

Dina Karabalayeva, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

PhD student, lecturer at the at the Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Almaty, Kazakhstan, email: dina.karabalaeva@kaznu.kz)

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How to Cite

Kurmanbayeva, M. S., Terletskaya, N. V. ., Gemejiyeva, N. G., Karzhaubekova, Z. Z., Kudrina, N. . O., Yerbay, M., Kusmangazinov, A. B., & Karabalayeva, D. (2024). COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE ANATOMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF RHEUM TATARICUM L. PLANTS FROM DIFFERENT ECOPOPULATIONS. Eurasian Journal of Ecology, 79(2), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.26577/EJE.2024.v79.i2-012

Issue

Vol. 79 No. 2 (2024): Eurasian Journal of Ecology

Section

CURRENT PROBLEMS OF CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY