Planta Med 2007; 73(6): 611-613
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-967197
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Molecular Authentication of the Traditional Dai Medicinal Plant Croton caudatus

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

Publication History

Received: December 24, 2006 Revised: December 24, 2006

Accepted: April 10, 2007

Publication Date:
22 May 2007 (online)

Abstract

Croton caudatus is an important species in Dai folk medicine. Some other Croton species, in particular, C. kongensis, C. cascarilloides, C. crassifolius, C. lachnocarpus and C. olivaceus are often marketed as C. caudatus, and thus, the therapeutic effects of C. caudatus are not achieved. The respective morphological features of the plants are similar, and they are not easy to distinguish morphologically from each other. In an attempt to find a method for discriminating among these species, we compared their nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Species-specific probes were derived from the ITS region of these species for species identification. This method provides effective and accurate identification of C. caudatus.

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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