Use of Genetic and Protein Markers for Characterization of Medicinal Ayurvedic Plants

Randomly amplified polymorphisms DNA (RAPD) has been widely used for authentication of plant species of medicinal importance. It is particularly useful in case of plants that are frequently substituted or adulterated with other species or varieties that are morphologically and/or phytochemically indistinguishable. In this study Hemidesmus indicus and its substitute plants were selected to develop gene and protein based coding for medicinal plants. DNA and protein was isolated from all the plants, i.e. the medicinal plant as well as the substitute plants. A modified DNA and protein extraction procedure was used for dry roots and powder of Hemidesmus indicus. Further a RAPD technique was used to develop DNA fingerprint pattern for all plants using self designed random primers. Sequence Characteristic Amplified Region (SCAR) marker was developed for Hemidesmus indicus. MALDI-TOF technique was used to differentiate between plant parts. Unique markers were developed for Hemidesmus indicus, to identify whether main plant is used or substitute plant, which part is added in formulation.