title: The relationship between genetic and chemotypic diversity in American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.).
abstract: Ginseng is one of the world's most important herbals used as an adaptogen and a cure for an impressively large range of ailments. Differences in the medicinal properties of ginseng roots have been attributed to variation in ginsenoside composition. In this study, the association between genetic and chemotypic profiles of wild and cultivated American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) roots grown in Maryland was investigated. Ginseng roots were classified into chemotypes based on their relative composition of Re and Rg1. Genetic profiles of these roots were determined from the analysis of 38 polymorphic RAPD markers and used for a cluster analysis of genetic similarities. The close correspondence between chemotype and genetic cluster provides the first DNA-based evidence for the genetic basis of ginsenoside composition. Results of this research are significant for plant breeding and conservation, phytochemical research, and clinical and pharmacological studies. Also, the correlation between RAPD markers and chemotype indicates the potential to use RAPD markers as a reliable and practical method for identification and certification of ginseng roots.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, University of Maryland, 2102 Plant Sciences Building #36, College Park, MD 20742, USA. eschlag1@swarthmore.edu
authors.forename: Erin M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Schlag
authors.forename: Marla S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: McIntosh
mesh_terms: D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers; D036145:Ginsenosides
keywords: American ginseng; Araliaceae; Chemosystematics; Ginsenosides; Panax quinquefolius L.; RAPD loci