Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Egletes viscosa (L.) Less., a traditional medicinal plant from Northeastern Brazil

Abstracts

"Macela" (Egletes viscosa (L.) Less.) is a medicinal herb used to treat digestive and intestinal problems. Previous studies revealed the existence of two chemotypes of "macela", whose essential oils are characterized by the presence of trans-pinocarveyl acetate (chemotype A) or cis-isopinocarveyl acetate (chemotype B). Herein, DNA sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS/5.8S) showed eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one insertion/deletion site that clearly distinguished the chemotypes of E. viscosa. Moreover, it was possible to identify wild specimens of E. viscosa belonging to both chemotypes and commercial samples, purchased at local markets, belonging only to chemotype A. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed their taxonomic position within the tribe Astereae. Therefore, analysis of ITS/5.8S DNA sequences provides an effective and accurate strategy for identifying the chemotypes A and B from E. viscosa.

phylogeny; ITS/5.8S; Egletes viscosa; Asteraceae; "macela"