Shedding light on deception: LAMP as a tool for detecting adulterants in herbal medicine

The integrity of herbal products is frequently undermined by both intentional and unintentional adulteration, leading to substantial health risks and economic losses. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a DNA-based molecular technique, has emerged as a formidable solution due to its simplicity, specificity, sensitivity, and ability to operate under isothermal conditions. The review critically evaluates the application of LAMP in authenticating herbal materials, showcasing its enhanced efficiency and user-friendliness compared to conventional techniques. The LAMP technique employs four to six primers that target six to eight distinct regions of the target DNA, ensuring unparalleled specificity. The amplification at a constant temperature negates the need for thermal cyclers, thus rendering it highly suitable for point-of-care applications and field-based authentication. The article presents case studies that illustrate LAMP's efficacy in detecting adulteration across traditional medicines, dietary supplements, and crude drug materials. Visualization methods in LAMP, such as turbidity, colorimetry, and fluorescence, greatly enhance its accessibility and ease of use, making it well-suited for both laboratory and field applications. Although there are limitations, such as primer design complexity and contamination risks, recent innovations, including the use of lyophilized reagents, multiplexing capabilities, and integration with mobile detection platforms, are significantly advancing the practicality of LAMP assays. This review underscores the potential of LAMP in both regulatory and commercial contexts, promoting the authenticity, safety, and quality of herbal products, thereby making a vital contribution to consumer protection and the sustainability of the herbal medicine trade.