Abstract
Objectives : The roots of Dipsacus asper had been used as the herbal medicine "Cheon-Sokdan" in Korea. Moreover, the roots of Phlomoides umbrosa were used as "Han-Sokdan." In the present study, a comparative anatomical comparison of Cheon-Sokdan, Han-Sokdan, and Ilbon-Sokdan were conducted, because Ilbon-Sokdan, the roots of Dipsacus japonicus, was regarded as substitute of Cheon-Sokdan. Methods : For this study, permanent preparations were made using a paraffin embedding method. Anatomical features of these three Sokdans were observed using a light microscope. Results : The starch grains of parenchyma cells and the amounts of calcium oxalate crystals hardly differed among the three plants. Particularly, the longitudinally-sectioned vessels of the three plants showed a wide variety depending on the focal depth of the light microscope. Therefore, these features could not be considered as obligate criteria for distinguishing these plants. The shape of the xylem was linear in Cheon-Sokdan and Ilbon-Sokdan, whereas that in Han-Sokdan was wedge-shaped. The phloem of Cheon-Sokdan and Ilbon-Sokdan were rhomboid, whereas that of Han-Sokdan was thimble-like. Therefore, the shape of xylem and phloem appeared as good criteria for distinguishing Han-Sokdan from the other plants studied. Cheon-Sokdan and Ilbon-Sokdan showed characteristics similar in many parts. However, in the xylem of Ilbon-Sokdan, fiber bundles were more developed than those of Cheon-Sokdan. Therefore, the development of fiber bundles in xylem was considered suitable for distinguishing between Cheon-Sokdan and Ilbon-Sokdan. Conclusions : The identification-keys established in this study would be helpful for identifying microscopic features among the three Sokdans.
