Molecular characterization of Desmodium species — An important ingredient of ‘Dashmoola’ by RAPD analysis

Identification of medicinal plants by their molecular signature is a fast growing tool. The identification of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. (Shalparni, a constituent of Ayurvedic formulation “Dashmoolarishtha”) was carried out using genomic approach. Authentic samples of D. gangeticum(L.) DC., D. velutinum (Willd.) DC. and D. triflorum (L.) DC. were analyzed and compared to commercial samples of various origin. Within twenty primers used, eleven gave 223 RAPD fragments. RAPD profiles of three species showed very low similarity index (0.21–0.39), whereas market samples showed high similarity of 0.82–0.89 with authenticated D. gangeticum.

Three Desmodium species were analyzed using RAPD and compared to three market samples which showed a low similarity index among different species but high similarity among market samples within same species i.e. D. gangeticum.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide