The microscopical investigation of diagnostic diseases of Thymus х Citriodorus var. «Silver Queen» herbs

The actual problem of modern pharmacy is the study of promising essential oil plant species with pronounced antimicrobial and anti-inflamattory activity for their further introduction in medical practice. Species of one of the most famous Thymus L. genus are characterized by a great diversity and distribution in the world flora. The genus has about 400 species, of which up to 50 are identified in the modern flora of Ukraine. They are widespread in countries of Europe, Minor Asia, Middle Asia, North Africa, and the Mediterranean basin. Phytochemical studies the species of the Thymus L. genus were established the accumulation of various biologically active substances: essential oils, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, polysaccharides, tannins, fatty oils, vitamins, triterpene saponins, amino acids, bitterness, gums, inorganic elements. Essential oils and herbal extracts are part of phytopreparations with pronounced antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Ornamental varieties of this species are successfully cultivated in Western Europe and Ukraine: «Silver Queen», «Doone Vally», «Golden Duarf», «Bertram Anderson». Lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus Pers. Schreb. var. «Silver Queen») is promising for cultivation and introduction into medical practice. The plant has the necessary raw materials and a promising composition of biologically active compounds. The aim of the work is to install the characteristic microscopic diagnostic features of lemon thyme herb (Thymus x citriodorus Pers. Schreb. var. «Silver Queen»), harvested in Ukraine. We carried out a morphological, anatomical and microscopic study of fresh and dried herbal raw materials. The results of the research were obtained with a «Micromed XS-3320» microscope with a digital camera (5 mpix) in combination with a computer and «Biolam» with an FN-6 photo nozzle for direct and reflected light. When conducting morphological, anatomical and microscopic study of herbal raw materials of lemon thyme, common and distinctive features were established. Morphological, anatomical and microscopic studies of lemon thyme herbal raw materials were conducted and common and distinctive features were established. The established distinctive diagnostic features of lemon thyme can be used to identify herbal raw materials and are included in the draft article of the state pharmacopoeia of Ukraine «Herba Thymus x citriodorus Pers. Schreb. var. «Silver Queen».