Planta Med 2011; 77(5): 492-496
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250468
Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Molecular Authentication of the Ethnomedicinal Plant Sabia parviflora and Its Adulterants by DNA Barcoding Technique

Xue-yi Sui1 , 2 , Yuan Huang1 , Ying Tan1 , 3 , Yu Guo1 , 2 , Chun-lin Long1 , 4
  • 1Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, P. R. China
  • 2College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, P. R. China
  • 3Graduate University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China
  • 4College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

received August 5, 2010 revised Sept. 25, 2010

accepted October 1, 2010

Publication Date:
26 October 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Sabia parviflora Wall. ex Roxb. is a traditional herb widely used by Chinese people, especially by the Buyi ethnic group which resides in Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. According to the Chinese Ethnic Pharmacopeia, the species is commonly used for soothing the liver and for the treatment of icteric hepatitis, hemostasis, and inflammation. However, due to the similar morphological characters of Sabia species and higher market demands, there are many substitutes and adulterants of S. parviflora. In this study, the differential identification of 6 Sabia species and 7 adulterants were investigated through DNA sequence analysis of three candidate DNA barcodes (trnH-psbA, rbcL‐a, matK). Based on sequence alignments, we concluded that not only the trnH-psbA spacer sequence can distinguish S. parviflora from other Sabia species, but the matK + rbcL‐a sequences also can differentiate it from the substitutes and adulterants. The classification tree of all samples based on rbcL‐a sequences indicated that the rbcL region can identify samples into a family/genus level. Our results suggest that the three candidate barcodes can be used for the identification of S. parviflora and to distinguish it from common substitutes or adulterants.

References

Prof. Dr. Chun-lin Long

Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology
Kunming Institute of Botany
Chinese Academy of Sciences

132 Lanhei Road

Kunming 650204

Yunnan

People's Republic of China

Phone: +86 87 15 22 32 33

Fax: +86 87 15 22 32 33

Email: long@mail.kib.ac.cn