Objective: To establish molecular authentication standards of Radix Paeoniae.
Methods: PCR method was used to determine rDNA-ITS sequences of sample S1 and sample S2 including ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2. The sequences were analyzed by BLAST and DNAMAN software. rDNA-ITS sequences of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Paeonia veitchii Lynch. and their counterfeit were analyzed by DNAMAN software.
Results: Established three molecular authentication standards on Radix Paeoniae: (1) The genera of samples was determined by the results of BLAST; (2) The species of samples were determined by the similarities; (3) The specific base positions confirmed the species of samples. Based on the sequence alignment and base differences, sample S1 was identified as Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and sample S2 was identified as Paeonia veitchii Lynch.
Conclusion: This paper can give an effective way of Radix Paeoniae identification. What's more, it gives a good example for other Chinese Medicinal Materia authentication.