Anatomical characteristics and antioxidant properties of Euphorbia nicaeensis ssp glareosa

Abstract

Anatomical analyses found that leaves of Euphorbia nicaeensis ssp. glareosa are isolateral, amphistomatous, with two layers of palisade cells on the adaxial and one on the abaxial side. Laticifers are present by vascular bundles, in palisade and spongy tissue. Stem laticifers are located in the pericyclic ring, adjacent to the phloem, in cylinder parenchyma and medullar rays. The structure of pleiochasium and dichasium peduncle is similar to the stem structure. Plants from typical steppe habitat show more xeromorphic features. Phytochemical screening of extracts showed presence of catecholes, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, free quinone derivatives and absence of anthocyanins, leucoanthocyanins, alkaloids, steroid compounds and essential oils. Our results showed that the examined taxon was partially susceptible to the action of reactive oxygen species, such as O(2)center dot(-) and center dot OH. The higher quantities of ROS thus provoked an antioxidative response from the plant, both in an enzymatic and non-enzymatic manner. Stable anatomical structure, presence and distribution of laticifers and effective antioxidant properties when exposed to ROS, make Euphorbia nicaeensis subsp. glareosa potentially interesting for further pharmaceutical and phytochemical examinations.