Liquorice: Biological source, cultivation and collection, Morphology, microscopy

1. Pharmacognosy and
Phytochemistry –II (BP504T)
Institute of Pharmaceutical
Research,
GLA University, Mathura
LIQUORICE
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura1

2. Objective of the class
– Introduction to Saponin glycosides
Liquorice
 Biological source
Cultivation and collection
Morphology
Microscopy
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
2

3. Saponin glycosides
Saponins are glycoside compounds often referred to as a ‘natural detergent’ because of
their foamy texture. They get their name from the soap wort plant (Saponaria), the root of
which was used historically as a soap (Latin sapo-soap).
They are found in many plants, they consist of a polycyclic aglycone that is either a
choline steroid or tritertpenoid attached via C3 and an ether bond to a sugar side chain.
The aglycone is referred to as the sapogenin and steroid saponins are called sarsaponins.
The ability of a saponin to foam is caused by the combination of the nonpolar sapogenin
and the water soluble side chain.
Classify into: Steroidal and Pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin glycosides
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
3

4. Saponins have been reported to possess blood purifying and abortion causing
properties, anthelmintic effect, sedative property and antispasmodic effects.
Chemical test:
Foam test and haemolytic test
Examples : Dioscorea, Liquorice,
Shatavari, Brahmi, Ginseng,
Senega
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
4

5. LIQUORICE
Synonyms:
Mulethi, Radix glycyrrhizae, Licorice, Jethi Madh, Yashtimadhu
Biological source:
It consists of peeled and unpeeled stolons, roots, and stems of
Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.
Family: Leguminosae
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
5

6. Geographical source
It is mainly found in China, Europe, India, Iraq, Japan,
Kurdistan, Spain, Turkey, and the United States.
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
6

7. Cultivation and collection
The plant requires a deep well cultivated fertile moisture-
retentive soil for good root production. Prefers a sandy soil with
abundant moisture and does not flourish in clay. Slightly
alkaline conditions produce the best plants.
It is propagated using seeds and roots. The seeds are presoaked
for 24 h in warm water and then sown in spring or autumn in a
greenhouse.
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
7

8. They are transplanted in late spring or early summer when in
active growth.
Harvesting generally occurs in the autumn of the fourth year.
Some are peeled and cut up into short lengths before drying,
but much is now used unpeeled. The drug is imported in bales.
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
8

9. Morphology
Condition: Dry, occurs in the peeled or unpeeled form
(root); Shape: Cylindrical; Surface (Outer): Yellowish
brown with longitudinal wrinkles (unpeeled); peeled ones
are yellow coloured with fine longitudinal ridges. In case of
stolons, scars of the buds can be seen; Fracture: Coarsely
fibrous in the bark region and splintery in the wood;
fractured surface shows long fibres projecting outwards;
Odour: Characteristics; Taste: Sweet
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
9

10. Liquorice stolon Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
10

11. Microscopical study of Liquorice root
Epidermis and most of the cortex are absent, being thrown off
by the development of cork.
Outer surface of the unpeeled drug is bounded by some 10 rows
of narrow cork cells.
Within the cork is a phelloderm or secondary cortex composed
of parenchymatous cells, some of which may become
collenchymatous.
Cells contain simple starch grains; a few contain prisms of
calcium oxalate.
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
11

12. Secondary phloem is composed of alternating zones of groups of
fibres and sieve tissue. The phloem fibres are very thick-walled,
are lignified and occur in cylindrical bundles surrounded by a
sheath of parenchymatous cells.
The sieve-tube tissue suffers partial obliteration but remains
functional in the cambial region.
The cambium is an incomplete line composed of about three
layers of flattened cells. The secondary xylem is composed of
large vessels, wood fibres and wood parenchyma.
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
12

13. The vessels show reticulate or pitted walls. The pits are slit-
like bordered pits.
The parenchyma of the xylem has lignified pitted walls.
The secondary tissues are divided by radial medullary rays
3–5 cells wide in the xylem and funnel-shaped in the
phloem.
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
13

14. Microscopy section of Liquorice root
Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
14

15. Sonia Singh , Assistant Professor, GLA University,Mathura
15