Abstract
Fifteen populations of Phyllanthus amarus from different parts of southern India were subjected to assessment of genetic diversity using isozymes. Analyses include electrophoretic separation of isozymes, scoring of active loci and genetic data analysis using POPGENE®. The six isozymes scored for a total of 14 loci with an overall polymorphism of 48.57%. Mean observed number of alleles was 1.56 and gene diversity index averaged to 0.39. In general, our studies reveal the existence of intraspecific genetic variations in P. amarus. Considering the medicinal importance, possible negative influence of intraspecific variations in the maintenance of constancy of drugs prepared from this herb may be anticipated and hence caution must be exercised during product preparations. Besides, it is recommended that a concerted effort need to be undertaken to superimpose genetic and medicinal profile to identify putative populations for conservation as well as sustainable utilization.
Published in:
Proceedings of the Fifteenth Kerala Science Congress (03 – 17), 29-31 January 2003, Thiruvananthapuram, pp. 196-201
Fifteen populations of Phyllanthus amarus from different parts of southern India were subjected to assessment of genetic diversity using isozymes. Analyses include electrophoretic separation of isozymes, scoring of active loci and genetic data analysis using POPGENE®. The six isozymes scored for a total of 14 loci with an overall polymorphism of 48.57%. Mean observed number of alleles was 1.56 and gene diversity index averaged to 0.39. In general, our studies reveal the existence of intraspecific genetic variations in P. amarus. Considering the medicinal importance, possible negative influence of intraspecific variations in the maintenance of constancy of drugs prepared from this herb may be anticipated and hence caution must be exercised during product preparations. Besides, it is recommended that a concerted effort need to be undertaken to superimpose genetic and medicinal profile to identify putative populations for conservation as well as sustainable utilization.
Published in:
Proceedings of the Fifteenth Kerala Science Congress (03 – 17), 29-31 January 2003, Thiruvananthapuram, pp. 196-201
