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Planta Med 2020; 86(16): 1176-1184
DOI: 10.1055/a-1194-0471
Natural Product Chemistry and Analytical Studies
Original Papers

Molecular Identification Based on Chloroplast Sequences and Anti-complementary Activity Comparison of Juniperus Samples from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Yi-Ting Yang‡
1   School of Pharmacy, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, Peopleʼs Republic of China
,
Ji De‡
2   College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, Peopleʼs Republic of China
,
Ze-Long Fu
1   School of Pharmacy, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, Peopleʼs Republic of China
,
Xie-Li Wang
1   School of Pharmacy, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, Peopleʼs Republic of China
,
Dao-Feng Chen
1   School of Pharmacy, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, Peopleʼs Republic of China
,
Hui Xie
3   Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, Peopleʼs Republic of China
,
Yan Lu
1   School of Pharmacy, Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, Peopleʼs Republic of China
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Abstract

Juniperus (Cupressaceae, Pinales) plants are widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China. The leaves and twigs of at least 8 Juniperus species (J. pingii, J. pingii var. wilsonii, J. squamata, J. recurva var. coxii, J. saltuaria, J. indica, J. tibetica and J. convallium var. microsperma) have been used as the Tibetan medicine Xuba. At present, it is difficult to distinguish among the original species of Xuba based only on their similar morphological characteristics. However, in our previous studies, 4 Xuba samples from different Juniperus species exhibited significant differences in both anticomplementary activity in vitro and anti-inflammatory effects on acute lung injury in vivo. To identify the effective original species of Xuba reliably, in this study, we developed a sequencing-based DNA molecular technology to distinguish 14 populations of 8 Juniperus species collected from Tibet region, using trnS-G, trnD – T, and petN-psbM genomic regions to build phylogenetic trees. In addition, their anticomplementary activities were evaluated. The results showed that combined sequence of these 3 genomic regions could identify 8 Juniperus species clearly and clustered individuals of one species but from different locations, whichever phylogenetic tree was constructed. Moreover, the anticomplementary activities of the 8 species were clustered into 2 groups. Among them, J. saltuaria and J. recurva var. coxii, which formed an independent branch apart from the other 6 species in phylogenetic trees, were the most potent (CH50: 0.029 – 0.032 mg/mL). Consequently, DNA identification of Juniperus using the combined sequence could provide beneficial guidance for further efficacy evaluation and quality control of Xuba.

Key words

Juniperus - Cupressaceae - Tibetan medicine - Xuba - DNA identification - anticomplementary activity - Cupressus

Supporting Information

    Anticomplementary activities of polysaccharides of 4 Juniperus species, effect of polysaccharides from 4 Juniperus plants on lungs of influenza virus-infected mice at day 4 postinfection, variability of trnL-F sequence in Juniperus, immunization program of New Zealand rabbit, molecular phylogenetic relationships of Juniperus and out-group species using the 3 separate sequences and the combined sequence, and the representative voucher photos of 12 populations from Juniperus species are available as Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 28 December 2019

Accepted after revision: 31 May 2020

Article published online:
09 July 2020

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