10.5061/DRYAD.8PS58RP2
Coghlan, Megan L.
Murdoch University
Haile, James
Murdoch University
Houston, Jayne
Murdoch University
Murray, Dáithí C.
Murdoch University
White, Nicole E.
Murdoch University
Moolhuijzen, Paula
Murdoch University
Bellgard, Matthew I.
Murdoch University
Bunce, Michael
Murdoch University
Data from: Deep sequencing of plant and animal DNA contained within
traditional Chinese medicines reveals legality issues and health safety
concerns
Dryad
dataset
2012
Holocene
2012-04-17T17:01:05Z
2012-04-17T17:01:05Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1002657
8211054 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of
years, but only within the last few decades has its use become more
widespread outside of Asia. Concerns continue to be raised about the
efficacy, legality and safety of many popular complementary alternative
medicines, including TCMs. Ingredients of some TCMs are known to include
derivatives of endangered, trade-restricted species of plant and animal
and therefore contravene the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) legislation. Chromatographic studies have
detected the presence of heavy metals and plant toxins within some TCMs,
and there are numerous cases of adverse reactions. It is in the interests
of both biodiversity conservation and public safety that techniques are
developed to screen medicinals like TCMs. Targeting both the p-loop region
of the plastid trnL gene and the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene over
50,000 amplicon sequence reads were generated from 15 TCM samples
presented in the form of powders, tablets, capsules, bile flakes and
herbal teas. Here we show that Second Generation, high-throughput
sequencing (HTS) of DNA represents an effective means to genetically audit
organic ingredients within complex TCMs. Comparison of DNA sequence data
to reference databases, revealed the presence of 68 different plant
families, and included genera, such as Ephedra and Asarum, which are
potentially toxic. Similarly, four animal families were identified, that
include genera that are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or
critically endangered, including Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus),
and Saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica). Bovidae, Cervidae, and Bufonidae DNA
were also detected in many of the TCM samples, and were rarely declared on
the product packaging. This study demonstrates that deep sequencing via
HTS is an efficient and cost-effective way to audit highly processed TCM
products and will assist in monitoring their legality and safety
especially when plant reference databases become better established.
TCM_001Animal and Plant Sequences from Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample
No. 1TCM_002Plant Sequences from Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample No.
2TCM_003TCM_004Plant Sequences from Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample
No. 4TCM_006Animal and Plant Sequences from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Sample No. 6TCM_011Animal and Plant Sequences from Traditional Chinese
Medicine Sample No. 11TCM_013Plant Sequences from Traditional Chinese
Medicine Sample No. 13TCM_015Animal Sequences from Traditional Chinese
Medicine Sample No. 15TCM_016Animal and Plant Sequences from Traditional
Chinese Medicine Sample No. 16TCM_018Plant Sequences from Traditional
Chinese Medicine Sample No. 18TCM_021Animal and Plant Sequences from
Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample No. 21TCM_024Animal Sequences from
Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample No. 24TCM_026Plant Sequences from
Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample No. 26TCM_027Animal and Plant
Sequences from Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample No. 27TCM_020Animal and
Plant Sequences from Traditional Chinese Medicine Sample No. 20