MOLECULAR AND CHEMICAL FINGERPRINTING OF ANTI CANCER DRUG YIELDING PLANTS - A CONSERVATION GENETICS APPROACH

Studies were performed to investigate the selection of superior genotypes based on intra-specific variations, caused by phytogeographical, climatic, edaphic parameters and phytochemical parameters of three anti cancer drug yielding plants (Abrus precatorius L., Caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Fleming and Nothapodytes nimmoniana Graham) using DNA (RAPD & ISSR) and phytochemical (TLC, HPTLC & HPLC) markers. The plants wre collected from five different geographical locations of the Western Ghats of south India. RAPD and ISSR analysis was performed in each species. Genetic heterozygosity, Nei’s gene diversity, Shannon’s information index and Percentage of polymorphism between the populations were calculated using POPGENE software. Cluster analysis was performed using UPGMA algorithm. AMOVA and correlations between genetic diversity and soil factors were analyzed. Chemoprofiling of each species was done using TLC and HPTLC analysis. The active principles were quantified through HPLC. Combining both molecular and phytochemical data of the species A. precatorius, C. bonducella and N. nimmoniana collected from the respective locations Karaiyar, Marunthuvazhmalai and Nilgiri hills considered as superior genotypes. Concerning the conserving management of these superior genotypes, we suggested that in situ conservation be an important and practical measure for maintaining the genetic diversity and that a possibly maximum number of populations be conserved.

Key words: Anti cancer drug yielding plants - DNA fingerprinting – phytochemical analysis