Genetic and chemical diversity of Eleutherococcus senticosus and molecular identification of Siberian ginseng by PCR-RFLP analysis based on chloroplast trnK intron sequence

► Fourteen types of trnK intron sequences were observed in Eleutherococcus senticosus. ► Characteristic nucleotide markers enabled E. senticosus to be clearly discriminated from other congeners. ► PCR-RFLP method for efficient authentication of Siberian ginseng and related health foods was developed. ► Quantitative evaluation of three main bioactive constituents in E. senticosus suggested good producing areas of Siberian ginseng. ► Chemical data clearly revealed E. sessliflorus was unsuitable to be used as Siberian ginseng.