ABSTRACT
The term autofluorescence is used for the luminescence of naturally occurring molecules of intact cells in the visible region of the spectrum induced by ultraviolet or violet light. Sometimes, it is determined as the fluorescence of natural compounds within an organism. This parameter has been presented as a possible tool in the analysis of medicinal plants in pharmacy. Many medicinal plants contain valuable fluorescent pharmaceuticals in secretory cells. Their fluorescence range is wide—from 400 to 700 nm. The autofluorescence of plant secretory structures changes during their development and under the influence of various factors. It reflects alterations in the composition or/and redox state of accumulated secretory products. The phenomenon could be an indicator of the structures’ formation based on the appearance of their secretions at the earliest stages. Therefore, analytical techniques based on autofluorescence monitoring can be utilized in pharmaceutical practice.
Fluorescent analysis of plant secretory cells has the potential for cellular diagnostics both in fundamental studies and in all industrial conditions. Due to the possibility of gaining express information on intact tissues and single cells without tissue homogenization procedures and long biochemical manipulations, one non-invasive application could be the luminescence observation of plant materials in order to know whether or not they are ready for pharmacy. This is possible because the main valuable drugs are concentrated in secretory structures. Examples of autofluorescence usage are represented in an atlas including most known medicinal plants. In express diagnostics, fluorescence changes can be used for the analysis of cell damage in phytomaterials, which is necessary for ecological monitoring of plant material grown for pharmacy as the earliest estimation of disturbance.
