Abstract

Background: Bauhinia sp., Fabaceae is a medicinal plant used by the Dao people in Sin Ho District, Lai Chau province in medicines to treat bone and joint diseases. This is a medicinal plant with great potential for exploitation, research and the establishment of basic standards for this medicinal herb is necessary. Objective: Description of microbiological characteristics and preliminary qualitative determination of the chemical composition of the stems of Bauhinia sp., Fabaceae collected in Sin Ho District, Lai Chau Province. Method: To study the microscopic characteristics: To make microscopic specimens of the stem, and powder specimens of the stem according to Appendix 12.18 of the Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia V, to describe and photograph the microscopic characteristics and microscopic characteristics of the stem powder; To preliminarily determine the chemical composition of the stem of Bauhinia sp., Fabaceae by routine chemical reactions. Results: The morphological characteristics of the studied sample are similar to the description in Flora of China, volume 10, and the scientific name has been determined to be Bauhinia sp., Fabaceae. The morphological characteristics, microscopic characteristics, and powder microscopic characteristics of the charcoal of Bauhinia sp., Fabaceae have been described. The microscopic characteristics of the stem of Bauhinia sp. have prominent features such as cubic calcium oxalate crystals and secondary phloem bundles cut into sharp cones, with the apex facing outwards. There are many fibers in the secondary phloem. The microscopic characteristics of the medicinal powder have cubic calcium oxalate crystals, about 4 - 4.5 μm in diameter x 1 - 1.5 μm and double or triple starch, about 4 - 4.5 μm in diameter x 1 - 1.5 μm. The study has preliminarily determined the chemical composition of the stem of this species containing flavonoids, steroid saponins, tannins, steroid, coumarins, polysaccharides and reducing sugars. Conclusion: The research results have initially established some basic standards for the medicinal herb Bauhinia sp., Fabaceae, thereby providing additional data for the inspection and detection of counterfeit and poor quality medicinal herbs.