DNA BARCODING AND MOLECULAR PHARMACOGNOSY: EMERGING TOOLS FOR AUTHENTICATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as an important source of therapeutic agents and continue to play a significant role in traditional and modern healthcare systems. A large proportion of the global population relies on herbal medicines for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. However, the growing demand for herbal products has raised serious concerns regarding the authenticity, quality, and safety of medicinal plant materials. Problems such as misidentification, adulteration, and substitution frequently occur during the collection, processing, and commercialization of herbal drugs, which may reduce therapeutic efficacy and pose potential health risks. Conventional pharmacognostic methods including morphological, microscopic, and phytochemical evaluations are commonly used for the identification of medicinal plants, but these approaches often show limitations, particularly when plant materials are processed or closely related species exhibit similar characteristics.

In recent years, molecular approaches have emerged as reliable tools for the authentication of medicinal plants. Among these, DNA Barcoding has gained considerable attention as a rapid and accurate method for species identification using standardized DNA sequences. DNA barcoding utilizes specific genetic markers such as rbcL, matK, ITS, and trnH-psbA to differentiate plant species based on their unique genetic signatures. These molecular techniques enable the identification of plant materials even in powdered or processed forms and facilitate the detection of adulterants in herbal products.

This review highlights the importance of molecular pharmacognosy and DNA barcoding in medicinal plant authentication, discusses commonly used genetic markers, and outlines recent technological advancements and applications in herbal drug quality control. Integration of molecular tools with conventional pharmacognostic methods can significantly improve the accuracy, safety, and standardization of herbal medicines.

Keywords: DNA barcoding; Molecular pharmacognosy; Medicinal plant authentication; Herbal drug quality control; Genetic markers; rbcL; matK; ITS; Adulteration detection; Herbal medicines.