Discrimination of Lonicera japonica and Lonicera confusa using chemical analysis and genetic marker

Objective : Lonicera japonica THUNB. a traditional herbal medicine, has been commonly used anti-inflammatory disease. It has been very complicated with respect to its sources on the market. The significant selection of medicine depends on its origin. However, it is difficult to discrimination criteria for confirming L. japonica authenticity using the senses. This study was performed to determine the discriminant analysis of L. japonica and L. confusa. Methods : The identification of L. japonica and L. confusa were performed by the classification and identification committee of the national center for standardization of herbal medicines. And we examined its differences using HPLC and genetic marker analysis. Results : The analytical pattern of High Performance Liquid Chromatography was determined from the corresponding peak curves ((E)-aldosecologanin, chlorogenic acid, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, sweroside). For L. japonica, additional unknown peaks were detected at 13.8 min, 20.6 min, and 36.9 min. And, we developed genetic marker using the the tRNA-Leu gene, trnL-trnF intergenic spacer and tRNA-Phe region of chloroplast DNA. By the method, 164 bp PCR product amplified from L. confusa was distinguished into L. japonica and L. confusa efficiently. Conclusion : Base on these results, two techniques provide effective approaches to distinguish L. japonica from L. confusa.