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Microscopy

Chemistry In Pictures

Chemistry in Pictures: Herbal medicine

by Craig Bettenhausen
December 18, 2024
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Most Popular in Analytical Chemistry

 

A close-up of a purple nirmuli flower.
Credit: Aratrika Chakraborty
Two light purple nirimul flowers.
Credit: Gailhampshire/Wikimedia

This electron microscope image shows a closeup view of the nirmuli flower, Hygrophila auriculata. Nirmuli plants are known for their rich iron content, earning the herb a place in ayurvedic medicine as a dietary supplement for individuals with anemia. The intricate details of the plant's microstructure are not visible to the naked eye, but they pop under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination. Aratrika Chakraborty, a scientist at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia, says the images she gathered are helping her study the biological structures that underpin the plant’s medicinal properties. “For instance, the surface features may influence how the plant absorbs or stores bioactive compounds like iron, which contribute to its health benefits,” she says.  

Submitted by Aratrika Chakraborty

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