[Pharmacognostical study on seven species from Astragalus genus in Yunnan].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: For the identification and utilization of the Astragalus plants from Yunnan, pharmacognostical studies were systematically performed for seven Astragalus plants which were selected from four subgenera of Astragalus genus. METHODS: Standard pharmacognosy methods and HPLC method were adopted, and microscopic characteristics and major chemical constituents of the test plant samples were compared. RESULTS: There were differences in root transverse section, powder and chemical constituents of the seven Astragalus plants. CONCLUSION: This study can provide the pharmacognosy experimental basis for the future study of Astragalus plants.