Morphoanatomical Analysis to Authenticate Some Selected Species Belong to Solanaceae Family Used in Traditional Medicine

Abstract

The accurate authentication of medicinal plants is critical for ensuring the safety and efficacy of herbal products. This study provides a comprehensive morphoanatomical characterization of six medicinally important Solanaceae species from Sudan: Datura innoxia, Physalis angulata, Solanum dubium, Solanum incanum, Solanum nigrum, and Withania somnifera. Fresh leaf samples were collected from their natural habitats in Khartoum and eastern Sudan. Transverse sections and epidermal peels were examined using light microscopy with digital imaging. Distinct anatomical markers were identified, including epidermal cell wall patterns, stomatal types (anisocytic, paracytic, anomocytic), trichome morphology (glandular, non-glandular, stellate), calcium oxalate crystal forms (druses, crystal sand), and mesophyll organization. A diagnostic dichotomous key was developed based on these micromorphological traits. Notably, P.angulata displayed undifferentiated mesophyll with sinuous anticlinal walls, while W.somnifera exhibited stellate trichomes and two types of calcium oxalate crystals. S. nigrum showed paracytic stomata and unicellular trichomes, whereas D. innoxia presented glandular trichomes and druse crystals. These findings provide reliable, microscopy-based tools for authenticating fragmented or powdered herbal material, combating adulteration in the traditional medicine trade. The study bridges a significant gap in the botanical documentation of Sudanese medicinal flora and supports quality control in pharmacognosy, conservation planning, and ethnobotanical research.