Y Chen1, S Bai, K Cheng, S Zhang, L Nian. 1. Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the problem of classifying Curcuma for Medical purposes. METHOD: RAPD was used to detect the DNA polymorphism within and among Curcuma wenyujin, C. sichuanensis and C. aromatica. RESULT: It is hard to differentiate between C. wenyujin and C. sichuanensis from the DNA level. The relationship between C. wenyujin and C. aromatica was also analyzed. CONCLUSION: Based on the morphological and chemical data, it is suggested that these two species should be combined into one and that classification based on peduncle central or peduncle lateral may not be right. This method will help to some degree to solve the problem of certifying the medicinal plant Curcuma.
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the problem of classifying Curcuma for Medical purposes. METHOD: RAPD was used to detect the DNA polymorphism within and among Curcuma wenyujin, C. sichuanensis and C. aromatica. RESULT: It is hard to differentiate between C. wenyujin and C. sichuanensis from the DNA level. The relationship between C. wenyujin and C. aromatica was also analyzed. CONCLUSION: Based on the morphological and chemical data, it is suggested that these two species should be combined into one and that classification based on peduncle central or peduncle lateral may not be right. This method will help to some degree to solve the problem of certifying the medicinal plant Curcuma.