Genetic diversities in wild and cultivated populations of the two closely-related medical plants species, Tripterygium Wilfordii and T. Hypoglaucum (Celastraceae)

• DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04826-x
• Publication Date: 2024-03-16T15:01:36Z
• Authors: Chao Liu; Jingyi Wang; Ya-Zhu Ko; Meng-Shin Shiao; Yiheng Wang; Jiahui Sun; Qingjun Yuan; Lisong Wang; Yu-Chung Chiang; Lanping Guo
• Keywords: Tripterygium wilfordii; Celastraceae

Abstract Background The sustainable supply of medicinal plants is important, and cultivating domesticating them has been suggested as an optimal strategy. However, this can lead to a loss genetic diversity. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. plant commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, but its wild populations are dwindling due excessive harvesting. To protect the species meet increasing demand, it urgent cultivate on large scale. distinguishing between T. hypoglaucum , two similar with different properties, challenging. Therefore, crucial understand diversity population structure these for their utilization. Results In study, we investigated semiwoody vines species, including cultivated using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences microsatellite loci. Our results indicated that maintain high level divergence, indicating possible bases contents bioactive compounds species. showed lower less subdivided structures both markers than hypoglaucum. potential factors shaping interesting differences might be differentiated pollen-to-seed migration rates, interbreeding, history divergence. Analyses cpDNA loci supported genetically distinct entities. addition, significant reduction was observed which mainly resulted from small initial size propagated vegetative practice during cultivation. Conclusion findings indicate divergence . analyses provide important insights into cultivation utilization plants. Accurate identification conservation efforts necessary ensure safety effectiveness crude drug use. study also highlighted importance combined addressing genetics because contrasts inheritance rates gene flow. Large-scale programs should consider preserving enhance long-term sustainability proposed some higher distinctness, considered priority sources future breeding improvement.