Identification of A Popularly Used Ayurvedic Drug Ficus religiosa By DNA SCAR Marker

Introduction: Ficus religiosa is a popularly used bark drug used in Indian system of medicine, an ingredient of Panchavalkala(Five bark drugs). Because of morphological similarity adulteration is common with bark where quality therapeutics is always uncertain. DNA markers are reliable in this regard as the genetic composition is unique for each species and is not affected by age, habitat, environmental factors and physiological conditions. Hence with this background DNA SCAR marker development of F. religiosa was carried out. Methods: Fresh bark samples of F. religiosa along with samples of Panchavalkala tree were collected from various parts of India. DNA isolation was attempted with CTAB method and further purified using silica membrane based column. Templates of all the 5 species were used for RAPD. The bands that were found only in F. religiosa species and not in others were selected for further processing. The unique band thus obtained was further purified from the gel and used for cloning into T vector.The white colonies obtained were inoculated in LB media with antibiotic and plasmid isolation was done. The plasmids with retarded mobility were selected for confirmation with PCR using M13 primers. Positive clone was further purified and sequenced. The sequence obtained was used for designing SCAR primers. Results: Conclusion: Highlighted sequence and primer designed is shown paper. Thus SCAR marker for F.religiosa is successfully developed and can be used to identify and differentiate the same wherever it is used.