Nirmala Gupta

Molecular markers are indispensable tools for identifying a particular sequence of DNA in a pool of unknown DNA. Use of Molecular markers are generally based on naturally occurring DNA polymorphism, which forms the basis for designing strategies to exploit for various purposes such as species identification, genetic diagnostics, characterization  of  transformants, study  of  genome  organization, germplasm characterization  and phylogenic analysis. There are various types of markers viz. morphological, biochemical and DNA based molecular markers. The molecular markers are selected for their appropriate purpose on the basis of high level of accuracy and reproducibility. The main properties which helps in choosing the most reliable marker are: Genetic abundance, level of polymorphism, locus-specificity, co-dominancy, technical demands, operational costs and many more. The DNA based molecular markers are again divided in to two i.e. hybridization based and PCR based molecular markers. RFLP belongs to the first non PCR based techniques and PCR based technique includes RAPD and AFLP. In this review, we discuss about the molecular markers with their merits and demerits. 

Aegle marmelos, a plant having tremendous therapeutic potential, the importance seems largely due to its medicinal properties and all the parts viz. roots, leaves, fruits, bark and seeds are used for curing human ailment. In the present investigation, the anticlastogenic potential of hydromethanolic Aegle marmelos (AM) leaves extract has been evaluated using in vivo Micronucleus assay in Swiss albino mice. Cyclophosphamide (CP), a well known mutagen was given intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection at the dose of 50 mg/kg bodyweight (b.w.). AM leaves extract at the doses of 450, 675, 900 mg/kg b.w. provided protection when given 24 hrs. prior to CP administration. In CP treated animals, a significant induction of micronucleus was recorded and in different AM extracts supplemented groups, a dose dependent significant decrease in CP induced clastogenicity was observed which was statistically significant (p