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Planta Med 2005; 71(6): 580-584
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-864166
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A DNA Microarray for the Authentication of Toxic Traditional Chinese Medicinal Plants

Maria Carles1 , 2 , Matthew Kin Lok Cheung2 , 3 , Shanti Moganti1 , 2 , Tina T. X. Dong3 , Karl W. Tsim2 , 3 , Nancy Y. Ip1 , 2 , Nikolaus J. Sucher2 , 3
  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
  • 2Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
  • 3Department of Biology, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Further Information

Publication History

Received: August 23, 2004

Accepted: March 12, 2005

Publication Date:
21 June 2005 (online)

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Abstract

A silicon-based DNA microarray was designed and fabricated for the identification of toxic traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Species-specific oligonucleotide probes were derived from the 5S ribosomal RNA gene of Aconitum carmichaeli, A. kusnezoffi, Alocasia macrorrhiza, Croton tiglium, Datura inoxia, D. metel, D. tatula, Dysosma pleiantha, Dy. versipellis, Euphorbia kansui, Hyoscyamus niger, Pinellia cordata, P. pedatisecta, P. ternata, Rhododendron molle, Strychnos nux-vomica, Typhonium divaricatum and T. giganteum and the leucine transfer RNA gene of Aconitum pendulum and Stellera chamaejasme. The probes were immobilized via dithiol linkage on a silicon chip. Genomic target sequences were amplified and fluorescently labeled by asymmetric polymerase chain reaction. Multiple toxic plant species were identified by parallel genotyping. Chip-based authentication of medicinal plants may be useful as inexpensive and rapid tool for quality control and safety monitoring of herbal pharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals.

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Dr. Nikolaus J. Sucher

Department of Neurology/Division of Neuroscience

Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School

Enders 353

300 Longwood Avenue

Boston

MA 02115

U.S.A

Phone: +1-617-355-3515

Fax: +1-617-730-0243

Email: nikolaus.sucher@childrens.harvard.edu

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