Morpho-Anatomical Examination and Phytochemical Characterization of Three Selected Medicinal Plants of the Solanaceae Family for Authentication

Abstract

This study aimed to authenticate three medicinal plants of Datura innoxia, Solanum nigrum and Withania somnifera, belonging to Solanaceae by addressing their micro-morphological structures and phytochemical compositions. Transverse sections and epidermal peels were examined using light microscopy with digital imaging. Distinct anatomical markers were identified, including epidermal cell wall patterns, stomatal types (anisocytic, paracytic, and anomocytic), trichome morphology (glandular, non-glandular, and stellate), calcium oxalate crystal forms (druses and crystal sand), and mesophyll organization. To obtain the phytochemical characterizations, phytochemical ethanol extracts of the fresh leaves and fruits of the studied species were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to investigate phytochemical compounds. The cell wall patterns of the studied species were quite distinct in the surface view of the epidermis, with a sinuous anticlinal wall on both surfaces. The mesophyll is differentiated into two unequal layersin Datura innoxia and Withania somnifera, while it forms two equal layers in Solanum nigrum. Trichomes were unicellular with glands in the case of Datura innoxia and Withaniasomnifera, while they are multicellular with glands in Solanum nigrum. Amonotetracytic and anisocytic stomata arepresent in all the studied species, while Withania somnifera is distinguished by the presence of parasitic stomata. The crude ethanol extract shows promising secondary metabolite contents. The leaves contained a rich array of chemical compounds, with nine phytochemical compounds, compared to the five compounds isolated from the fruits. The compound with the highest concentration isolated from leaves was n-hexanoic acid, accounting for 27.85%, which was scored by Withania somnifera, followed by phytol at 19.89% and vitamin E at 14.43%, which were scored by Datura innoxia. The highest concentration isolated from fruits was 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z) (29.81%) and n-hexanoic acid (12.89%), which were scored by Withania somnifera. Integrating anatomical and phytochemical evidence enhances the reliability of species identification, particularly in medicinal plants where accurate authentication is essential for quality control and safety. The study is vital for both taxonomic and ethnobotanical studies. Moreover, the findings have potential applications in pharmacognosy and conservation planning.