Development of an Authentication System for Genuine Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (Salvia miltiorrhiza) Using SNP Markers

Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae ( Salvia miltiorrhiza ) is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicinal materials. However, the dried roots of Salvia przewalskii, Salvia yunnanensis, Salvia sinica , and Salvia digitaloides are usually mistaken for Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae due to their similarity in appearance. Although several efforts have been made to develop molecular markers for Salvia species, the discrimination of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae from its adulterants is still an unresolved problem. In order to develop a simple and reliable method for identifying genuine Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region was analyzed to exploit DNA polymorphisms, and a host of single nucleotide polymorphism sites were discovered among five Salvia species. By introducing additional mismatches, allele-specific primers were designed and a multiplex polymerase chain reaction was conducted for authentication of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae. The established multiplex allele-specific polymerase chain reaction system enabled the simultaneous identification of four Salvia species in one reaction. Therefore, a simple and reliable method for molecular authentication of S. miltiorrhiza from its adulterants was established, and the present method should be an important tool to complement morphological and chemical analysis for quality control of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae.