[Allele-specific PCR to identification of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix and Cyathulae Radix formula granules].

To establish a robust and accuracy molecular method to identify Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix and Cyathulae Radix formula granules. ITS sequences of Achyranthes bidentata and Cyathula officinalis were aligned, specific SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were excavated, specific primers were designed and allele-specific PCR method was established. The genomic DNA was successfully extracted from the herbal medicine and its formula granules by using an improved CTAB (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) method and then performed PCR with the designed primers. The 187 bp specific band could be amplified only in the presentation of C. officinalis and its granules when use of C. officinalis specific primers, whereas the 162 bp band could be amplified only in the presentation of A. bidentata and its granules when use of A. bidentata specific primers. This method was also successfully applied in the identification of commercial formula granules.

Molecular identification of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix by using DNA barcoding.

Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix has a long history in China as a commonly used herb that can be used to treat various diseases, including those related to the liver, muscles, bones, and kidneys. Recently, an increase in the number of adulterants has been reported, which affects the clinical safety of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix. To identify adulterants of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, we collected samples from major regions and conducted an in-depth genetic comparison of the herb and its commonly used adulterants. We amplified and sequenced three genomic regions, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), psbA-trnH, and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), to confirm whether ITS2 is a suitable identifier for Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix. Results showed that the ITS2 sequence length of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix was 199 bp, with no variation between samples. The inter-specific genetic distance of ITS2 between Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix and its adulterants was 0.390. Neighbor-joining trees showed that Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix and its adulterants are easily differentiated by monophyly. In conclusion, ITS2 regions accurately and effectively distinguished between Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix and its adulterants.

[Studies on Niuxi with the method of FT-IR spectroscopy and analyze technology auxiliary].

OBJECTIVE: To study the genuine of 32 samples of Niuxi from 14 provinces, and compare some samples stored for different time to check the change in the coures of store. METHOD: IR spectroscopy and Analyze Technology Auxiliary softeare. RESULT: The coefficient correlations had certain difference among these Niuxi from different places. They were divided into two parts if r = 0.9840 the standerd: trueborn crude drugs (r > 0.9840) and non-trueborn (r < 0.9840). And we can know the change in medicinal materials according r. CONCLUSION: The method is operated simple and determined fast; the result is reliable; repetitiveness is good.

[Study on the genetiey relationship between Chinese and Korean medicinal materials of niuxi with the method of RAPD].

OBJECTIVE: To study the hereditary relationship between Chinese and Korean medicinal materials of Niuxi achyranthis root. METHOD: Ten samples of four kinds of Niuxi was studied with the method of RAPD. RESULT: Expanded product showed total record of 100 spectrum bands, which proved that the hereditary gap between Korean self-produced A. japonica and A. bidentata is smallest. CONCLUSION: Korean self-produced A. japonica is near to A. Sidentata.

[Pharmacognostical identification of niuxi from Guizhou Province].

In this paper, 7 kinds of Niuxi from Guizhou Province have been studied on their pharmacognostical characters, histological characters and effective constituents and the difference of species have been found based on the experimental results.