Planta Med 2008; 74(14): 1764-1766
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088308
Letter
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sequencing Analysis of the Medicinal Plant Stemona tuberosa and Five Related Species Existing in Thailand Based on trnH-psbA Chloroplast DNA

Boonyadist Vongsak1 , Surapong Kengtong2 , Srunya Vajrodaya3 , Suchada Sukrong1
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, CU-Drugs and Health Products Innovation and Promotion Center, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 2Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • 3Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Further Information

Publication History

Received: February 24, 2008 Revised: July 7, 2008

Accepted: August 4, 2008

Publication Date:
05 November 2008 (online)

Abstract

In Thailand, Stemona tuberosa Lour., S. phyllantha Gagnep., S. collinsae Craib, S. burkillii Prain, S. aphylla Craib and S. sp. are found. The identification based on morphological characters alone is difficult and can lead to confusion regarding chemical constituents and biological activities. The tuberous roots of S. tuberosa have long been used for treatment of respiratory diseases and as anthelmintics. However, accurate identification of S. tuberosa is needed to ensure efficacy. Sequence comparison indicated that these Stemona spp. could be identified from the sequence of the trnH-psbA locus. As a result of different sequence lengths, the PCR products generated from newly designed primers could be used to preliminarily group the two species, S. tuberosa and S. phyllantha, apart from others. However, these products could be further sequenced to discriminate among Stemona spp.

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Assistant Prof. Dr. Suchada Sukrong

Department of Pharmacognosy

CU-Drugs and Health Products Innovation and Promotion Center

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Chulalongkorn University

Bangkok

Thailand 10330

Phone: +66-2-218-8364

Email: suchada.su@chula.ac.th