Evaluation of raw nepodin extraction from Rumex japonicus and R. obtusifolius and their DNA polymorphisms

In this study, all specimens on the Ryukyu Islands were identified asR. japonicus. Conversely, all specimens on mainland Japan wereR. obtusifolius. The DNA sequence of the chloroplasttrnL –trnF intergenic spacer region and partial nuclear internal transcribed spacer was consistent with the identification ofR. japonicus andR. obtusifolius by morphological characteristics of the perianth segments. Therefore, to avoid erroneous identification and misuse of the plant species used for extraction of raw materials, it is preferable to develop DNA markers for these two regions. The content of nepodin varied from undetectable to 0.34% of the fresh weight (%FW) inR. japonicus and from undetectable to 0.21%FW inR. obtusifolius. From a pharmacological perspective, as plants that might be suitable as raw materials for nepodin extraction, it became clear that bothR. japonicus andR. obtusifolius can be used with the same expected extraction efficiency. Based on our findings,R. obtusifolius could not be confirmed as inhabiting the Ryukyu Islands. For this reason, to conserve the endemic genetic characteristics of the Ryukyu Islands and to prevent genetic pollution byR. obtusifolius, onlyR. japonicus should be cultivated on the Ryukyu Islands.
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research