ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rhizoma Paridis (Chonglou) is a commonly used and precious traditional Chinese medicine. Paris polyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis (Franch.) Hand. -Mazz. and Paris polyphylla Smith var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara are the two main sources of Chonglou under the monograph of Rhizoma Paridis in Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In the local marketplace, however, this medicine is prone to be accidentally contaminated, deliberately substituted or admixed with other species that are similar to Rhizoma Paridis in shape and color. Consequently, these adulterations might compromise quality control and result in considerable health concerns for consumers. This study aims to develop a rapid and sensitive method for accurate identification of Rhizoma Paridis and its common adulterants. METHODS: DNA barcoding coupled with high resolution melting analysis was applied in this research to distinguish Rhizoma Paridis from its adulteration. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) barcode was selected for HRM analysis to produce standard melting profile of the selected species. DNA of the tested herbal medicines was isolated and their melting profiles were generated and compared with the standard melting profile of P. polyphylla var. chinensis. RESULTS: The results indicate that the ITS2 molecular regions coupled with HRM analysis can effectively differentiate nine herbal species, including two authentic origins of Chonglou and their seven common adulterants. Ten herbal medicines labeled "Chonglou" obtained from a local market were collected and identified with our methods, and their sequence information was analyzed to validate the accuracy of HRM analysis. CONCLUSIONS: DNA barcoding coupled with HRM analysis is a accurate, reliable, rapid, cost-effective and robust tool, which could contribute to the quality control of Rhizoma Paridis in the supply chain of the natural health product industry (NHP).
ABSTRACT
The adulteration of herbal products is a threat to consumer safety. In the present study, we surveyed the species composition of commercial Radix Clerodendri Japonicum products using DNA barcoding as a supervisory method. A reference database for plant-material DNA-barcode was successfully constructed with 48 voucher samples from 12 Clerodendrum species. The database was used to identify 27 Radix Clerodendri Japonicum decoction piece samples purchased from drug stores and hospitals. The DNA sequencing results revealed that only 1 decoction piece (3.70%) was authentic C. japonicum, as recorded in the Dai Pharmacopeia, whereas the other samples were all adulterants, indicating a potential safety issue. The results indicate that decoction pieces that are available in the market have complex origins and that DNA barcoding is a suitable tool for regulation of Dai medicines.
Subject(s)
Clerodendrum/genetics , DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic , Drug Contamination , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Clerodendrum/classification , Medicine, Chinese Traditional/adverse effects , Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the contents of iridoid glycosides in Qingyedan medicinal materials,and to provide the scientific basis for using resources of Qingyedan and rationality of original plant medicinal. Methods: The contens of three iridoid glycosides,including swertiamarin,gentiopicroside and sweroside in Qingyedan medicinal materials were determined by HPLC. Results: The constituents of 30 samples in nine species were significant difference. And the contents of iridoid glycosides in Swertia bimaculata,Swertia tenuis and Swertia pubescens were reported for the first time. Conclusion: The results show that the contents of iridoid glycosides in Qingyedan medicinal materials have a significant difference due to the different species and producing areas. Therefore, these medicinal plants should not be used as alternative medicines for clinical application. Swertiamarin and sweroside can be selected as quality control components, this method is an effective method to identify and control the quality of Qingyedan materials.