Application of DNA fingerprinting tools for authentication of ayurvedic herbal medicines- A review

Abstract

Ayurvedic herbal medicines played a pivotal role in maintaining health and treating the disease worldwide since ancient times. Due to renewed interest and popularity the global market strategy is worth about $ 60 billion annually. As commercialization and increased demand safety, quality and assurance of Ayurvedic herbal medicines is biggest lacuna. The adulteration of herbal materials usually occurs as a result of materials not having readily distinguishable morphological features, materials sharing similar common names and the substitution of economically valuable materials with inexpensive herbs. Proper authentication process is necessary to prevent the adulteration. Since the standardization of botanical preparations most of the regulatory authorities suggest macroscopic, microscopic and chemical evaluation like TLC, HPTLC and HPLC. However, these methods have limitations because the composition and relative amount of chemicals in a particular species of plant varies with growing conditions-harvesting period, post harvesting period and storage conditions. The present review mainly focuses on authentication of Ayurvedic herbal medicines by DNA based fingerprinting methods to prevent intentional and in-advertant adulteration or substitution of targeted Ayurvedic medicinal herbs.