Genetic heterogeneity of ribosomal RNA gene and matK gene in Panax notoginseng

Previously, 18S ribosomal RNA gene and matK gene sequences of Chinese herbal medicines, Ginseng Radix, Panacis Japonici Rhizoma and Panacis Quinquefolii Radix were shown to correspond with those of the original plants, Panax ginseng, P. japonicus and P. quinquefolius, respectively, with the species-specific sequences especially for 18S rRNA gene sequences. In P. notoginseng and its derivative, Notoginseng Radix, however, we found two genetic groups with respect to both gene sequences. Five base substitutions were detected on both gene sequences and the homology between two groups was 99.7% for the 18S rRNA gene and 99.6% for the matK gene, respectively. One genetic group was found to have the identical sequences as those of P. ginseng.