Planta Med 2007; 73(1): 91-93
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-951769
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Molecular Authentication of the Traditional Chinese Medicinal Plant Euphorbia pekinensis

Heng-Gang Xue1 , Song-Dong Zhou1 , Xing-Jin He1 , Yan Yu1
  • 1College of Life Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 6, 2006

Accepted: October 13, 2006

Publication Date:
24 November 2006 (online)

Abstract

The ITS regions of Euphorbia pekinensis and six other Euphorbia species used as adulterants of E. pekinensis were sequenced to differentiate them. The sequences are identical among the individuals in the seven species studies. Diversity in DNA sequences among various species was found ranging from 8.3 % to 43.8 % in ITS1 and 7.6 % to 36.6 % in ITS2 region. Furthermore, based on the divergent ITS regions, species-specific primers, JDJp 1 and JDJp 2, were designed in the polymorphic regions of E. pekinensis to distinguish it from adulterants. These ITS-derived primers amplified a 281-bp-specific DNA fragment from E. pekinensis. No amplified product was observed using DNA of six adulterants.

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Prof. Xing-Jin He

College of Life Science

Sichuan University

Chengdu 610064

Sichuan

People’s Republic of China

Phone: +86-28-8986-9468

Fax: +86-28-8546-0068

Email: xingjinhe@yahoo.com.cn