Anatomical structure, total flavonoids histochemical localization and content comparization of vegetative organs in Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Anatomical,histochemical and phytochemistry methods were used to investigate total flavonoidslocalization and dynamic changes in vegetative organs of Glycyrrhiza glabra.The leaf of G.glabra was bifacial type,which was composed of epidermis,mesophyll and vein.There were glandular hairs on the epidermal cell of leaf,and there were some capsules in the mesophyll.The stem consisted of epidermis or periderm,cortex and vascular bundle.Some mucous cells were in the pith.The root was composed of periderm and secondary vascular tissue.The total flavonoids distributed in epidermis,glandular hair,capsule cell,collenchyma and parenchyma cell of leaf;In the stem,they distributed mainly in periderm,phloem and mucous cells;In the root,they were located in periderm.Meanwhile,the content of total flavonoids had significant difference among different vegetative organs of G.glabra.It was highest in the leaf and was the lowest in the stem,the rhizome and taproots took second place.The temperature decrease could promote transport of the total flavonoids from the leaf to the root and rhizome.Therefore,we suggested that the leaf and stem should be harvested between October and November.