Importance of Genetic Identification of Medicinal Plants

Importance of Genetic Identification of Medicinal Plants
Dr. Hemant Vinze  (M. S.)

Bhoomyaamalakee  (Phyllanthus niruri-Phyllanthus amarus)
 
Thyagarajan’s landmark paper published in ‘The Lancet’ on eradication of Hepatitis B surface antigen by using ‘Bhoomyaamalakee’ or ‘Bhuiaawalaa’ (Phyllanthus amarus) in HBV carriers stirred the medical fraternity. Bloomberg et al added value to Thyagarajan’s paper, for their results were much better than Thyagarajan’s. Inspired by this data many researchers, clinicians and specialists in Ayurveda started using ‘Bhoomyaamalakee’ or ‘Bhuiaawalaa’ (then called Phyllanthus niruri) to treat jaundice in general and viral hepatitis B in particular; but in vain, for they did not get the desired results.

Despite the uncertain, unconvincing and inconclusive results, the trade of ‘Bhoomyaamalakee’ or ‘Bhuiaawalaa’ (so called Phyllanthus niruri) reached its zenith. 
I had an opportunity to discuss this issue with a professor of pharmacology. The professor stunned me by saying ‘the results of the Chinese Phyllanthus amarus are much superior in this regard to the Indian Phyllanthus amarus’. As I asked the explanation, ‘Purity of the plant’, the professor replied.

Since ancient times, herbs of the genus Phyllanthus have been in use in traditional European, Chinese and Indian medicine mainly for treating jaundice. Modern research with Phyllanthus focuses on its potential for fighting hepatitis B virus and malaria parasite.

The species Phyllanthus niruri is an American species and not at all found in India. In India Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus fraternus, Phyllanthus debilis and Phyllanthus urinaria grow sympatrically (in the same geographical region or zone). Morphologically they bear a remarkable semblance to Phyllanthus niruri. (See images at https: //sites.google.com/site/ayurvinze/ ). Earlier researchers therefore grouped them in a single group of species Phyllanthus niruri which was later described as ‘niruri complex’. However taxonomically this is incorrect. Each species must be identified separately and individually with a specific taxonomical (botanical) name.

                      

       Phyllanthus niruri                          Phyllanthus amarus

                                    

      Phyllanthus fraternus                     Phyllanthus debilis  
   

  
                        

                                                                   , 
       Phyllanthus pulcher                         Phyllanthus talbotii          


                                           

                                     Phyllanthus tenellus         

          

The confusion still exists because of morphological similarities. This implies inadvertent or deliberate adulteration of crude drugs lowering the efficiency or efficacy of the medication for its intended purpose. Secondly, incorrect identification may also lead to erroneous reports on actions of the herb. These may be some of the reasons why researchers could not emulate the results reported by Thyagarajan and Bloomberg et al.
To overcome this problem in crude drug and compliment morphological identification in live plant, scientists offered genetic identity for each species. This is based on SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) markers of DNA. The genetic identification of Phyllanthus species mentioned above is:


Phyllanthus amarus:  1150 bp
Phyllanthus fraternus: 317 bp
Phyllanthus debilis: 980 bp
Phyllanthus urinaria: 550 bp (2), (3)

Bhringaraaja (Eclipta alba)

In Ayurveda, Bhringaraaja was extolled as ‘hair tonic’ (Kesharaaja). Later it was described to be useful for the disorders of liver and spleen. According to the colors of the flowers the herb bears; in Ayurveda three varieties of Bhringaraaja are described: White, Yellow and Neela Bhringaraaja or Neeli Bhringaraaja.

                                              
                                                                                                    
          Shweta Bhringaraaja                                   Peeta Bhringaraaja
           (Eclipta alba)                                             (Wedelia calendulacea)        
                                                                    
                                                                         
                              Neela Bhringaraaja (Indigofera tinctoria) 4.

Although they have some similar Ayurvedic and pharmacological actions; taxonomically they are three different plants: 
Shweta (white) Bhringaraaja: Eclipta alba
Peeta (yellow) Bhringaraaja: Wedelia calendulacea
Neela (blue) Bhringaraaja: Indigofera tinctoria
(For more details see below: Confusion due to taxonomical synonyms)
Daaru-Haridraa (Berberis aristata)

In field, usually more than one species of Berberis (Daaruharidraa) grow together. Morphologically many of them resemble each other. In 1999 Rao et al. reported pollen morphologic studies in solving taxonomic confusion. However during harvesting, in the field, it becomes difficult to distinguish one species from the other. Thus species other than Berberis aristata are also harvested.


                                        

                    Berberis aristata                            Berberis vulgaris  

                                        
    
                                          Berberis evergreen


                               
          Berberis aquefolium                                    Berberis julianne  


                                       
                                              Berberis thunbergii    
                                                     

                                    

                            Berberis stenophylla                      Berberis-hedge 

                                              

                                                 Berberis darwini

Since stems of the plant are used for medicinal purpose, it becomes even more challenging to obtain authentic collections and assure quality. Conventional Pharmacognosy techniques based on macro and micro-morphological characters of plant identification may not be effective in distinguishing Berberis aristata because some species may share similar histological characteristics, making microscopic identification inaccurate. Different species of the same genus may have totally different or weaker pharmacological action compared with the authentic species. DNA-based markers have therefore become a popular means of definitive identification of plants because genetic composition is unique for each individual species irrespective of physical form, age, physiological condition, environmental factors, storage and processing.   
       
The genetic identity of Berberis aristata is determined by “Direct sequencing of complete ITS region” 5

This reveals that, from traditional herbalists, Ayurvedic physicians to taxonomists it seems there exists confusion regarding ‘appropriate’ identification of medicinal plants.

The factors producing confusion in appropriate identity of Ayurvedic plants are:

1. Confusion due to morphological similarities:

Phyllanthus niruri and Phyllanthus amarus both look alike. Hence they are confused with each other. However P. niruri is not an Indian plant but P. amarus is!

2. Confusion due to taxonomical synonyms:

The aim of Carl Linnaeus a Swedish botanist, zoologist and physician in developing a system of botanical nomenclature (taxonomy) was to avoid confusion in identification of plants (and animals) and impart one universal scientific name to each species. Because of this taxonomical system any given species, be it a plant or an animal, is appropriately identifiable world over.
 But, even today taxonomically there exist many synonyms of Bhringaraaja, such as Eclipta alba, Eclipta prostrata, Eclipta erecta and many more. This must not happen.    

3. Confusion due to similarities in pharmacological actions:

Shweta (white) Bhringaraaja, Peeta (yellow) Bhringaraaja, and Neela (blue) Bhringaraaja have very similar pharmacological actions. All the three plants have similar leaves and similar ‘morphological look’. Hence in Ayurveda three varieties of  Bhringaraaja are described. Taxonomically however, they are three different plants; three different species: Eclipta alba, Wedelia calendulacea and Indigofera tinctoria.Again, Wedelia calendulacea and Wedelia chinensis are used as synonyms. Surprisingly, even today Wedelia calendulacea is known as Peeta (yellow) Bhringaraaja and is used in place of Eclipta alba. Scientifically this is adulteration!

Myrsine africana Linn is sold as Widnga but it is NOT  Widnga it is an adulterant. 
(See below)
Hence there is an absolute need for ‘genetic identification’ of Ayurvedic plants!

Currently various methods and techniques are used for genetic identification. The detailed discussion is beyond the scope of this work. Hence the authors prefer to mention some commonly used types of genetic markers.
RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism)
AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism)
RAPD (Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA)
VNTR (Variable Number Tandem Repeat)
MSP (Micro Satellite Polymorphism)
SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)
STR (Short Tandem Repeat)
SPF (Single Feature Polymorphism)
SCAR (Sequence Characterized Amplified Region) (6), (7)

Widanga (Embelia ribes)

In Ayurveda  Widanga (Embelia ribes Burm. f.) is famous for antimicrobial activity. However another species of Widanga is also used for antimicrobial activity. Taxonomically it is Embeliaro busta auct. Nonroxb. Therefore though this other species shows antimicrobial activity similar to that of Widanga (Embelia ribes Burm. f.); scientifically the other species is an adulterant. Researchers have proved Widanga (Embelia ribes Burm. f.) has more potent antimicrobial activity than the adulterant species Embeliaro busta auct. Nonroxb. [8]

Different Varieties: At present Embelia Tsjeriam -Cottom-R et S, Embelia robusta are supplied as Widanga (Embelia ribes) in India, but taxonomically they are not Widanga (Embelia ribes). P. V. Sharmaji reported that Myrsine africana Linn is sold as Widnga but it is NOT  Widnga it is an adulterant. 


                                  

                                                  True Widanga (Embelia ribes)

                                                   
                                                           
                                             True Widanga (Embelia ribes)



                      
          Embelia Tsjeriam -Cottom                          Embelia robusta   


                                                      
                                          Myrsine africana Linn [9]

Hence the absolute need and importance of chromosomal and genetic identification of herbs for effective pharmacological actions.      
For more details visit:
https://sites.google.com/site/ayurvinze/

References:
1. Images from Wikipedia and google images 
2. http://staff.cimap.res.in/PublicationFiles/Planta_Med_2008_74_296%E2%80%93301..pdf

3. Jain N, Shasany AK, Singh S, Khanuja SP, Kumar S; SCAR markers for correct identification of Phyllanthus amarus, P. fraternus, P. debilis and P. urinaria used in scientific investigations and dry leaf bulk herb trade; Planta Med, 2008 Feb; 74 (3): 296-301  

4. Google images

5. Subramani Paranthaman Balasubramani, Gurinder Singh Goraya and Padma Venkata Subramanian; Development of ITS sequence-based markers to distinguish Berberis aristata DC from B. lyceum Royale and B. asiatica Roxb.; Biotech. 2011 February 25; 1(1): 57

6. K Semagen, A. Bjornstad and M. N. Ndjiondjop, An overview of molecular marker methods for plants; American Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (25) pp2540-2568 December, 2006

7. P. Kumar, V.K. Gupta, A. K. Misra, D. R. Modi and B. K. Pandey, Potential of Molecular Markers in Plant Biotechnology; Plant Omics Journal Southern Cross Journals, 2 (4):141-162 (2009)

8. Malvika Saini, Gaurav Sharma, Mita Kotecha, A comparative Antimicrobial Evaluation of Embelia ribes Burm. f. and     Embeliaro Busta auct. Nonroxb. Fruits, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2015; 1, 11: 90.24
9. google images
















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Methee-Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L)

Image
Methee-Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum-graecum L ) Introduction Methee or Fenugreek an annual, leafy, small herb is native to India. It is commonly found growing in the Mediterranean region. Though it is now cultivated worldwide, India remains the largest producer of Methee or Fenugreek.  (1), (2)   Methee has been around for thousands of years being used as a medicine, spice and food for both humans and animals. It is one of the oldest medicinal plants in medical history. Its description is found in Ayurvedic scriptures, ( Bhaawaprakaash, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia etc . ) the oldest repository of medicinal plants. The description of this plant is also found in the Ebers Papyrus (the oldest Egyptian compilation of medical texts), 1500 BC. Zohary D and Hopf M, authors of the book “Domestication of Plants in the Old World… 2000” note that it is not yet certain which wild strain of the genus  Trigonella  gave rise to the domesticated Methee-Fenugreek. They...
Read more
Image
Guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia ) Introduction   From Indian mythology to Ayurveda and modern medicine Guduchi ( Tinospora cordifolia ) is extolled as a remedy par excellence for the treatment of many diseases especially those of the liver.   It has a noble place in the epic Raamaayana: During the war between Raama and Raawana, to resurrect the army of Raama, Lord Indra gave “amrita” i. e. “divine nectar” to Raama’s army. The Guduchi plant grew from the few drops of ‘nectar’ that fell on the ground. [1], [2]   From fever to cancer the herb protects the body from diseases; hence the epithet Guduchi (one that protects, one that acts as a savior from diseases). Another synonym of the plant is Madhuparnee (the one whose leaves are full of nectar). When we cut a fresh spring from Guduchi tree and hang it from a cord in the air; it will continue to grow without any visible or perceptible nutritional support. It gains its ‘life energy’ from environment. Hence in San...
Read more

Phytopharmacology of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) Part 1

Image
Phytopharmacology of Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri )   Part 1 Introduction The search for effective and safe medicines for neurological disorders is always on. Brahmi is one such medicine used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine.   Brahmi corresponds to two plants, Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica . Both the plants are used in Ayurvedic system as medhya (beneficial for intellect, enhancing intellect, nootropic) and rasaayana (adaptogen). In Indian system both plants were valued for the treatment of nervine disorders; hence there is confusion regarding morphological identification of Brahmi. Botanists and many researchers have now accepted Bacopa monnieri as Brahmi and Centella asiatica as Mandukaparni, the plant whose leaf resembles the feet of a frog. In Western medicine, certain neurological disorders have limited therapeutic options. As Brahmi ( Bacopa monnieri ) has proven beneficial effects in neurological and psychiatric disorders, it is imported from Ayurveda...
Read more