Medicinal plant identification: molecular identification of different Taxus species by DNA fingerprinting (TAXUS-DNA-ID)

Taxus represents an important genus since the remote antiquity. Over the last fifty years specific attention was devoted by the pharmaceutical research to the characterization and purification of Taxus-derived chemical constituents as tricyclic diterpenes with a taxane nucleus as potent anticancer agents. In particular, Taxus x media Rehder is of interest for the taxol content and Taxus baccata L. for the accumulation of 10-desacetylbaccatin III [1]. Species identification and classification of the commercial specimens is very important but at the same time controversial, because morphological characteristics for species diagnosis are few. The objective of the present study was to develop molecular markers that can be used for the identification and differentiation of the aerial part of these species of high relevance for the pharma sector. In the present work, the innovative technology of SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) genotyping was used to identify species-specific DNA markers for unequivocal identification of the following species and cultivars: T. baccata, T. brevifolia, T. canadensis, T. cuspidata, T. globosa, T. fuana, T. floridana, T. x media and cultivars (Browni, Densiformis, DGS, Hicksii, Wardi, Runyan, Tautoni), T. wallichiana and cultivars. A molecular DNA fingerprint method for the authentication of Taxus species was developed and validated for its applicability to processed specimens. The DNA fingerprint method TAXUS-DNA-ID enables the rapid and reliable identification of species and cultivars of Taxus. The use of this method opens the route to precise and timely quality controls for origin and purity of Taxus-derived raw materials.

References: 1. Bruneton J.,1999 Pharmacognosy. Lavoiser publishing. Condé-sur-Noireau (France).