Characterization of Various Hypericum Perforatum Clones by Hypericin and Rapd Analyses

Abstract

Hypericum perforatum L. is a pharmaceutically important medicinal plant with antidepressant, antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer effects of its metabolites. The hypericin contents and genetic structures of superior H. perforatum clones were identified by spectrophotometric analysis and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, respectively. At the first harvest the hypericin content of the clones was higher than second harvest and higher in 2007 compared to 2008. For initial screening, 38 random primers were used and 26 of them detected a total of 378 scorable fragments. Effective multiplex ratio (EMR), average heterozygosity (H-av), marker index (MI), resolving power (RP) and polymorphic information content (PIC) of the primers were calculated for RAPD marker system. Genetic similarity value among the clones varied from 0.40 to 0.93 and the average genetic similarity values was determined as 0.60. Clustering based on RAPD data showed a partial relationship on a regional basis in the clones. Cluster analyses of hypericin contents and RAPD markers grouped the clones in two major clusters and significant correlations were observed between them. In conclusion, combined analysis of RAPD markers and hypericin content is an optimal approach for further progress and breeding programs. (C) 2011 Friends Science Publishers