PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDY OF THE LEAVES OF THE SAGE SPANISH (CHIA) PLANT

The Lamiaceae family includes about 3,500 species and 200 genera. Many species of this family have health-improving properties. Spanish sage is no exception. In this article, a pharmacognostic study of a non-pharmacopoeial annual herbaceous plant Spanish sage (chia) grown in the Voronezh region was conducted. Microscopic analysis of the leaves of this plant was carried out, during which characteristic features were identified (stomata of the diacytic type, simple unicellular and multicellular filaments, glabrous filaments, and essential oil glands). The content of individual biologically active substances in chia leaves was also determined. Extractive substances were found in the composition of the leaves (extractive substances extracted with 50% alcohol predominated), polysaccharides, ascorbic acid, tannins, flavonoids, as well as a small amount of essential oil.