Thalictrum plants are perennial herbs in the family Ranuneulaceae, many of which are of important medicinal values. Alkaloids are major active constituents in Thalictrum plants in addition to a small amount of triterpene and flavonoids. The major pharmacological functions of the active constituents include： anti-tumor, anti- virus, antibiosis, antiphlogosis, hypotensive action, and etc. This paper summarizes the methods for determining the contents of chemical constituents in Thalictrum plants and new chemical constituents discovered in this genus in recent ten years.
[Objective] The aim was to make pharmacognostic research of Thalictrum foeniculaceum to lay foundation for development of the plant and formulation of re- lated medicinal quality standard. [Method] Based on Thalictrum foeniculaceum plants, morphological characters of the plants, and the paraffin sections and powders of dif- ferent organs were observed with an optical microscope. [Result] Cross-section of roots of Thalictrum foeniculaceum is typical secondary structure of dicotyledon and anticlinal wall of endodermis is curve. What＇s more, vessel type is diversified, in- cluding reticulate vessel, spiral vessel, and bordered pit vessel. In addition, the leaf can be classified into basal leaf and stem leaf, of which the former is ternate vein and bifacial leaf, and the latter is isolateral leaf. The cells in palisade tissue are 2-3 lists and small granules can be found in surface of leaf epidermal cells; pollen grain is round and scattered. [Conclusion] The research laid foundation for development of plant resources and formulation of quality standard for Thalictrum foeniculaceum.
