In this issue we will continue to address the botanical content related to the organographic, histological and pharmacological structures of the plant species Terminalia catappa (COMBRETACEAE), with the firm purpose of contributing to the dissemination of biological-technical and medicinal elements of this important plant resource.
Introduction
Terminalia catappa is one of the species of exotic tree biotype that grows wild in the Caribbean countries. This plant resource, which belongs to the Combretaceae family, is widely used in these regions for its capacity to provide shade, due to its leafy characteristics.
In addition to the foliage provided by Terminalia catappa, this plant species is extensively cultivated in Asian countries, where it is used for the consumption of its fruit, either in its mature or dry state (extraction of almonds rich in proteins, calcium, fats and carbohydrates). In the case of India, T. catappa is considered a valuable phyto-medicinal resource due to the proven action of its active principles [1].
Now, starting from the botanical foundations as well as the ornamental and medicinal potentialities exhibited by Terminalia catappa, the objective of this post is to describe the organographic and histological characteristics and pharmacological properties of this important plant species, whose biological attributes to date have not been considered in Venezuela for agricultural or medicinal purposes.
Biological classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Species: catappa
Common names
In Asian countries Terminalia catappa, is designated as Indian almond, however, in most Caribbean countries it is called almond, while in Venezuela it is commonly identified as almond..
Pharmacological properties
In South American countries, the main use of the Terminalia catappa species is exclusively ornamental and for shade, while on the Asian continent the main use of this plant resource is medicinal, due to its proven pharmacological properties [1];
A. Antioxidant activity: Terminalia catappa has variable concentrations of organic substances, including water-soluble tannins, whose chemical structures act as antioxidants, preventing the oxidation of molecules, a reaction that prevents the progressive deterioration of the metabolic system at the cellular level, a crucial element for health.
B. Phytoanalgesic effect: The analgesic effect of aqueous extracts of Terminalia catappa leaves, induced by the high concentrations of substances such as punicaline and punicalagine, has been demonstrated.
C. Anti-inflammatory property: Phyto-molecules, such as the polyphenols present in the organographic structures of Terminalia catappa possess anti-inflammatory activity.
Origin and distribution
Terminalia catappa, in an emblematic tree native to the Malayan region [2], of recognized Pantropical distribution, with preference for development in arid zones and coastal margins of Caribbean territories.
Gender Terminalia in Venezuela
From the genus Terminalia the most widespread species in all Venezuelan ecosystems is T. catappa, whose kernel contained in its nuts is usually consumed in the western states of the country.
Botanical description
Way of life
The Almendrón as it is designated in Venezuela, has a biotype of arboreal condition.
Root
Normal and pivoting roots are considerably developed, secondary and lateral roots protrude to the surface, occupying an area between 2 and 4 meters of periphery.
Stem
It exhibits erect stems that extend up to 30 meters in height, with extensive branching with whorl arrangement and corky consistency bark.
Sheets
They are of petiolated insertion, with simple foliar laminae, of oblanceolated morphology, whole edge, cuneiform apex, attenuated base, pinnatinervia rib and alternate phyllotaxy, another characteristic aspect of the leaves of Terminalia catappa, is the polymorphism of coloration that the limb has phenologically before detaching from the nodes of the stem, when changing from green to red, pink, orange, violet and yellow.
Inflorescence
It exhibits spike-shaped inflorescence, with axillary and terminal location of thin morphology.
Flower
Flowers show actinomorphic division, monoecious (both sexes in the same individual), with white-green floral units.
Fruit
Terminalia catappa, exhibits drupe type fruits with ellipsoid morphology, fleshy of climatic condition, however, when they reach their maximum peak of ripeness, a process of dehydration is triggered.
Seeds
It has oleaginous seeds, externally it presents a dry and fibrous aspect, and internally it is composed of an edible almond.
Reproduction
Sexual reproduction
Terminalia catappa biologically provides a fertile system of sexual reproduction with an annual seed production regime [3].
Asexual reproduction
From the natural point of view, there is no known asexual reproduction or vegetative regeneration, however, biotechnology has reported multiplication of cuttings and layering with phytohormones [4].
Growth
The growth habit, is slow at the level of seedlings and accelerated in the following phenological phases registering up to 1 meter of elongation per year, the life cycle is fulfilled in a period close to 60 years [2].
Ecology
The vegetal species Terminalia catappa, presents easy adaptability to develop in coastal arid grounds characteristic of tropical climates, on the other hand, shows difficulty of integration in wooded or forest areas, the leafy characteristic of the system of foliar branching, turns the individuals of Almendrón in susceptible condition before the attack of defoliating insects [4].
Histology and organography
Microscopic study
In order to extend the existing information, a histological study on the vegetative structures of Terminalia catappa was developed, using the optical microscope for morphological characterization at the tissue level, which was carried out in the UNESUR Botany Laboratory.
Collection
The vegetative material of Terminalia catappa, was collected from the urban spaces of Santa Barbara, located in the municipality of Colon in the state of Zulia - Venezuela.
Histological identification
The vegetative structures of Terminalia catappa, were placed in containers with water to guarantee the turgidity of the tissues, later they were transferred to the laboratory facilities of UNESUR Botany.
Materials and reagents used
- Plants of Terminalia catappa
- Carrier sheets and coverslips
- Botanical dissection team
- Petri dishes
- Optical microscope
- Distilled water
- Lugol
- Safranin
- Floroglucin
Tissue observation
The histological structures of Terminalia catappa, were observed using OPTIKA microscopes, for the identification of epidermal tissue, photosynthetic mesophilic, cross sections, longitudinal and tangential to the leaves (both sides), first proceeded to focus to 4x to locate tissue and then changed to 10x, for morphological characterization.
For the observation of xylem conduction and phloem tissues, cross sections were made to young petioles and stems of Terminalia catappa.
Histological results
Epidermal characterization
The adaxial and abaxial epidermis of Terminalia catappa has cells of polygonal and isodiametric morphology irregularly arranged, with unicellular glandular trichomes on the underside of the leaf blade.
Stomatic characterization
As for the location of the observed stomas they are of Amphistomatic condition, this indicates that they are found in both adaxial and abaxial faces of the leaves of Terminalia catappa, in relation to the type of stoma observed they were visualized in an anomocytic way.
Parenchymal characterization
The mesophyll of Terminalia catappa leaves exhibits slightly elongated palatal parenchymal cells and spongy tissue of irregular morphology with appreciable intercellular spaces, followed by mechanical tissue specifically rounded colenchyma cells.
Xylematic and phloematic characterization
Cross section of young Terminalia catappa petioles and stem, showed concentric and ordered vascular bundles in the leaf petiole, while in the stems it was possible to observe developing bark, meristematic feline, followed by phloem, vascular cambium cells, xylem and marrow.
SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS PUBLICATION
- The organographic, morpho-anatomical, and histological characterization of the Terminalia catappa plant species, plus the incorporation and socialization of pharmacological information, emphasize unpublished contributions mainly for South American and Caribbean countries, by referring to the content of plant morphology and utilitarian botany of this valuable plant resource. Likewise, the scientific dissemination of each developed topic offers taxonomic details of recognition for future external and internal morphological descriptions.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES CONSULTED AND CITED:
[1] Chen P., Li J., Liu T., Lin T. Folk medicine Terminalia catappa and its major tannin component, punicalagin, are effective against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Cancer Lett. 2000;152(2):115-22. Article: Online access
[2] Thomson L., and Evans B. Terminalia catappa (Tropical Almond). Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry. 2006; 2; 2: 1 – 20. Article: Online access
[3] Ángel M., Bacallao L., Domínguez, D., Padilla D. Almendro de la India: potencial biológico valioso. Revista Cubana Investigación Biomédica, Las Habana. 2003;22:1:41-7. Article: Online access
[4] Kadambi K. Terminalia catappa., its silviculture and management. Indian Forester. 1954;80:11: 718-720. Article: Online access
[5] Gilman E., Watson D. Terminalia catappa tropicalalmond. Gainsville: Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.1994;3. Article: Online access
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