Development of ITS sequence based molecular marker to distinguish, Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) from its adulterants

Fitoterapia. 2010 Sep;81(6):503-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2010.01.002. Epub 2010 Jan 18.

Abstract

Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae) is one of the highly traded raw drugs and also used as a stimulative food additive in Europe and USA. While, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recognizes T. terrestris as Goksura, Tribulus lanuginosus and T. subramanyamii are also traded by the same name raising issues of quality control. The nuclear ribosomal RNA genes and ITS (internal transcribed spacer) sequence were used to develop species-specific DNA markers. The species-specific markers efficiently amplified 295bp for T. terrestris (TT1F and TT1R), 300bp for T. lanuginosus (TL1F and TL1R) and 214bp for T. subramanyamii (TS1F and TS1R). These DNA markers can be used to distinguish T. terrestris from its adulterants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • DNA, Plant / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / chemistry*
  • Drug Contamination
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plant Preparations / standards
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Plants, Medicinal / genetics
  • Species Specificity
  • Tribulus / chemistry*
  • Tribulus / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Plant
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • Plant Preparations