Ghazali, Farid Che
(2009)
IFM surface profiler, µCT 3D SCAN, and electron microscopical
investigation of 'Sanggul Fatimah' (Anastatica Hierochuntica L).
In: Microscopy Conference 2009, 30 Ogos - 04 September 2009, Graz, Austria.
(Submitted)
Abstract
Malaysia is blessed with natural products that represent a valuable source of bioactive agents
with potent and unique medicinal properties. However, many of these natural products
(marine or herbal) are not strictly phannaceutical products (real medicines) but represent a
novel class of dietary supplements or nutriceuticals or exploited in traditional medicines.
Traditional medicines has not only been used for primary health care of the poor in
developing countries but has also been used in countries where conventional medicines are
predominant. This have causes commercial exploitation that has endangered species of
therapeutic natural products. In order to claritY and ascertain the identities and properties of
the species, effort by utilizing high-resolution electron microscopy is now being pursed as a
prelude and to harness the taxonomical identity and chemical characterization of therapeutic
potentials of these natural products.
'Sanggul F atimah ' or Anastatica Hierochuntica L. (The True Rose Of Jericho), a resurrection
plant, is a very well-known traditional herbal remedy closely associated with and consumed
minutes prior to labor. This is a rhetoric practice among the Malay Kelantanese women
where its tea is believed to help ease childbirth. In the course of our research interest in
identi:fYing the most sort herbal during pregnancy and post-partum in Malaysia, we have
include a surface morphological characterization of Anastatica Hierochuntica L that was
observed under the variable pressure scanning electron microscope (VPSEM). Scanning
electron microscopical characterization of this plant is virtually a research lacuna.
Information on this herb of the Negev and Sahara Desert is important, as it will affect for the
women's attitudes and practices.Results and discussion
The supra variable pressure scanning electron microscope study of these plants that dies and
dries up, curling its stems into a tight ball revealed a surface characterization built-up of
pebbles-like structures, asinu8 rings with thick tunica, an overwhelming soft lamellated
surface and spiky coral-like or tom-like structures closely associated with the raised
pedunculated putative shoots of cactus-like feature highly prominent in the stem.
Microdiffiaction analysis (EDX) of the herb revealed inert significant presence of carbon,
oxygen, silica, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, potassium, zinc and iron. Although silica is
quite significant in major probe areas, the topographical distributions of these periodic
elements are non-homogenous. The combination silica and calcium may be associated with
bones repairs and help form collagen. This suggests that the folkloric use of Anastatica
Hierochuntica L. in labor and post labor will enhance good tissue and organ repair. The
microdiffiaction analysis also suggest therapeutic potential role as a adjuvant supplement in
the improvement in bone density and in the prevention of osteoporosis.
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