Planta Med 2006; 72(10): 929-931
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-946673
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Authentication of Medicinal Plant Botanical Identity by Amplified Fragmented Length Polymorphism Dominant DNA Marker: Inferences from the Plectranthus Genus

Helna Passinho-Soares1 , 2 , Durvalina Felix1 , Maria Auxiliadora Kaplan3 , Marcia Margis-Pinheiro5 , Rogério Margis1 , 4
  • 1Departamento de Genética, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RS, Brasil
  • 2Departamento do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, UFBa, Salvador, BA, Brasil
  • 3Núcleo de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
  • 4Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
  • 5Departamento de Genética, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Further Information

Publication History

Received: February 3, 2006

Accepted: May 7, 2006

Publication Date:
22 June 2006 (online)

Abstract

In Brazil, Plectranthus species are known as ”boldo” and have been used in popular medicine for analgesic and dyspeptic purposes. Plectranthus need to be well identified in order to be used as commercially genuine medicinal plants. Here we describe AFLP DNA patterns able to distinguish among different Pectranthus species. The genetic variability of P. grandis Cramer, P. barbatus Andr. and P. ornatus Codd was analyzed with two sets of AFLP primers allowing detection of 241 loci. A total of 22 monomorphic loci were identified in P. barbatus, 15 in P. grandis and 30 in P. ornatus. Among these, 5 loci were informative and species-specific to P. barbatus, 3 to P. grandis and 2 loci were unique to P. ornatus. The AFLP pattern analyzed by different clustering methods assembled individuals according to their species. So far, AFLP represents a genuine and strong method to certify medicinal plant materials.

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Dr. Rogério Margis

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Rua Ramiro Barcelos

2600 - Prédio anexo

Bairro Santana

Porto Alegre RS

Brasil CEP 90.035-003

Phone: +55-51-3316-7766

Email: rogerio.margis@ufrgs.br