Comparison of bioactive ingredients and anatomical structure of Fumaria vaillantii Loise and F. asepala Boiss

Persian sedge (Fumaria vaillantii) and sepalless sedge (F. asepala) are two annual herbaceous plants that grow separately or together in plant communities. The aim of this research was to compare the biochemical composition and anatomical structure of these two species in order to determine the proximity of their medicinal properties.

The studied plant species were collected from the central part of Saveh in May 2018. In order to compare the medicinal value, some characteristics of two Fumaria including effective substances and the anatomical structure of leaves, stems, roots and fruits were compared. The amount of lipid, protein, organic matter, sugar, phenol, alkaloid, types of chlorophyll, minerals and peroxidase activity were identified and measured by calorimetry, spectrophotometry and thin layer chromatography methods. Anatomical structure was made by preparing transversal sections, stained with methylene blue and Carmen Zaji and studied with a light microscope.

The differences in the content of lipid, protein, chlorophyll a and stem minerals, root phenol, fruit alkaloid, sugar and chlorophyll b were significant in two species, but the differences in the composition of other organs were not significant. The activity of peroxidase and the number of phenolic compounds in the organs of the two species were significantly different. Fatty acids were almost similar in all organs except the stem of the leafless shoot. The anatomical structure of the two Fumaria was also completely similar.

The findings of this research showed that Iranian Shatre and Bekasbarg are rich in effective substances and the anatomical structure is almost similar. This result shows that their medicinal value is the same.