title: Molecular identification of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix by using DNA barcoding.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Agricultural College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China.|Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: D-Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Luoning Country Bamboo Research Institute, Luoning, China.
authors.forename: G-P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Henan Vocational College of Agriculture, Zhengzhou, China.
authors.forename: L-H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Zhi
authors.forename: H-W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: H-L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: M-M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: G-A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D029044:Achyranthes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D021901:DNA, Intergenic; D018745:Genome, Plant; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D021901:DNA, Intergenic; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex