Abstract Combretaceae is a large medicinal family prevalent on the African continent. Traditional healers commonly utilize species of this family to treat or cure a wide array of illnesses and diseases. Medicinal flora are known to contain secondary metabolites which may effectively improve an individual's state of health. These medicinal properties are attributed to secondary metabolites, which in some instances, are exuded by specialized secretory structures, such as trichomes, laticifers or glands. This study investigated the micromorphology, ultrastructure and histochemistry of the secretory structures found on the surface of leaves (emergent, young and mature) and stems of Combretum erythrophyllum. The micromorphological analysis identified two distinct trichome types, peltate scales and non-glandular trichomes. The head cell count of peltate scales appeared to increase upon leaf maturation and ranged from 8 to 19 cells. In addition, the granulocrine pathway was identified as a possible mode of secretion due to the extensive presence of vesicles, vacuoles and electron dense material within the peltate scales. Preliminary histochemical analyses indicated the predominant presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds and essential oils within the exudate. Medicinally, these metabolites are known to exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and anti-microbial properties. In accordance, these beneficial compounds may be further developed for use in medicinal applications.

中文翻译：

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Combretum erythrophyllum (Combretaceae) 的分泌尺度：微形态学、超微结构和组织化学

摘要 Combretaceae是非洲大陆盛行的大型药用科。传统治疗师通常利用这个家族的物种来治疗或治愈各种疾病。众所周知，药用菌群含有次生代谢物，可以有效地改善个人的健康状况。这些药用特性归因于次级代谢产物，在某些情况下，次级代谢产物由特殊的分泌结构渗出，例如毛状体、乳突或腺体。本研究调查了在 Combretum erythrophyllum 的叶子（萌发、年轻和成熟）和茎表面发现的分泌结构的微形态、超微结构和组织化学。微形态学分析确定了两种不同的毛状体类型，盾状鳞屑和非腺毛状体。盾状鳞片的头部细胞计数似乎在叶成熟时增加，范围为 8 到 19 个细胞。此外，由于盾状鳞片中广泛存在囊泡、液泡和电子致密物质，粒细胞分泌途径被确定为一种可能的分泌方式。初步组织化学分析表明，渗出液中主要存在生物碱、酚类化合物和精油。在医学上，已知这些代谢物具有抗氧化、抗炎特性和抗微生物特性。因此，可以进一步开发这些有益化合物以用于医药应用。由于盾状鳞片中广泛存在囊泡、液泡和电子致密物质，粒细胞分泌途径被确定为一种可能的分泌方式。初步组织化学分析表明，渗出液中主要存在生物碱、酚类化合物和精油。在医学上，已知这些代谢物具有抗氧化、抗炎特性和抗微生物特性。因此，可以进一步开发这些有益化合物以用于医药应用。由于盾状鳞片中广泛存在囊泡、液泡和电子致密物质，粒细胞分泌途径被确定为一种可能的分泌方式。初步组织化学分析表明，渗出液中主要存在生物碱、酚类化合物和精油。在医学上，已知这些代谢物具有抗氧化、抗炎特性和抗微生物特性。因此，可以进一步开发这些有益化合物以用于医药应用。抗炎特性和抗微生物特性。因此，可以进一步开发这些有益化合物以用于医药应用。抗炎特性和抗微生物特性。因此，可以进一步开发这些有益化合物以用于医药应用。