[Identification of Smilax glabra and its related species based on psbA-trnH sequence]

To identify Smilax glabra and its related species using DNA barcoding technique and psbA-trnH sequence.

Total genomic DNA was isolated as template and the chloroplast gene psbA-trnH region was amplified by PCR technology and sequenced bidirectionally. The sequences and the related data were analyzed using the software CodonCode Aligner and MEGA 6.0; The intra- and inter-specific Kimura-2-Parameter(K2P) distances were calculated and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using the Neighbor-joining method.

The maximum K2P genetic distance of the plants of Smilax glabra was lower than the minimum K2P genetic distance of its related species. In the cluster dendrogram, the plants of Smilax glabra from various sources showed the monophyletic and simultaneously distinguished from the closely relative species.

psbA-trnH barcoding could be used to distinguish Smilax glabra and its related species effectively, and provide important molecular evidence for identification of original plant of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma and clinic safety in medicinal use.