Identification of DNA polymorphisms in Angelica acutiloba

Abstract

Dried roots of several varieties of Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa (Tohki) and related species have been widely used as one of the key ingredients in Japanese traditional Kampo medicine. Among various therapeutic properties, this herbal medicine is especially known for its analgesic and sedative effects, and is mainly used to treat women’s diseases. Phytochemical studies suggest that Angelica roots contain high level of volatile ligustilide and related metabolties, which are believed to be at least partially responsible for their therapeutic effects. A. acutiloba Kitagawa var. acutiloba Kitagawa (also called ‘Yamato’ Tohki) was originally grown in the Obuka area of Nara prefecture, Japan and has been awarded a top reputation in the Japanese herb market for many years amongst varieties available in East Asian countries. A. acutiloba Kitagawa var. sugiyamae Hikino (‘Hokkai’ Tohki) and other A. acutiloba varieties, as well as related Angelica species are currently grown in Japan and other East Asian countries including China and Korea. In the Japanese herb market, the dried roots of various Angelica species and varieties are used to prescribe herbal Tohki medicines. Because Angelica species outcross and because the sugiyamae “Hokkai” variety has been cultivated in various regions of Japan, including Nara prefecture (Hikino 1957), it is important to maintain pure varieties with superior and/or preferred traits. Several varieties of A. acutiloba did not show any nucleotide polymorphisms in the intergenic spacer