RAPD

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. 

Securinega leucopyrus (Willd.) Muell has long been used by the tribes of Sri Lanka traditionally known as ‘Katupila’and also in India as ‘Humri’. Common in scrub jungls, limited to India, Sri Lanka and Burma. DNA fingerprinting for cultivar or varietal identification has become an important tool for genetic identification in plant breeding and germplasm management.Several different PCR based techniques have been developed during the last decade, each with specific advantages and disadvantages. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker technique is quick, easy and requires no prior sequence information.Pharmacognostical evaluation of leaf and stem of Securinega leucopyrus (Willd.) already established but no research work have been established on its roots and DNA fingerprints; for the first time leaf samples were subjected to fingerprints and studied the pharmacognostical aspects of roots. Pharmacognostical study showed that presence of oil globules, rosette crystals and uni to multiserriate medullary rays. DNA finger prints showed that OPC 6, OPD 8 and OPB 10 showed that merging 2 bright bands and one light band.

In the current status there is no explicit demarcation methodology on finding of substitutes (Pratinidhi Dravya). Thus here an attempt has been made to find out substitute by DNA fingerprinting on the basis of similarity and dissimilarity. In this study two samples Alysicarpus longifolius W. & A.Prodr.- Fabaceae, Desmodium laxiflorum DC i.e. of same family, same genus with different species were subjected to fingerprints. In this data we find a more similarities characteristics in both the plants i.e. up to 63%. As per the knowledge of research scientist this is a first moral attempt which throwing lights on concept of Pratinidhi Dravya (Substitution) in Ayurvedic science.