Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Genetic diversity assessment in medicinal herb Swertia Speciosa (Wall.Ex.D.Don) of higher himalayan region

  • Research Articles
  • Published:
Vegetos Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The great Himalayas are continuously facing a lot of biotic and abiotic challenges like climate change, anthropogenic pressure, etc. since the last decade which as a result is putting the native vegetation, especially of alpine regions, under immense pressure, pushing a number of plants near to the brink of extinction. The present study was done on Swertia speciosa which is a popular substitute of Swertia chirayita, endemic to the Himalayan region and enlisted as endangered in the IUCN Red Data book. Genetic diversity studies on S. speciosa can enable us to understand its adaptability and chances of survival in the near future which can ultimately serve the purpose of conservation and reduce the overexploitation of S. chirayita by serving as a suitable substitute. To assess the genetic diversity, a cluster analysis using the dendrogram method from eight different germplasm of S. speciosa collected from different regions of Uttarakhand Himalayan Ranges (2800–4000 masl) was done, where 15 sets of RAPD primers were used for generating 248 discernible and reproducible bands among the analyzed population with 230 polymorphic and 18 monomorphic bands. The (UPGMA) cluster analysis exposed three distinct clusters: I, II, and III. The cluster I was represented by the S.speciosa population collected from Kedarnath (3500 m asl), Dayara (3408 m asl), Madhyamaheswar (3478 m asl), Sunderdunga (3593 m asl), Bansinaryan (3618 m asl) and Harkidoon (3525 m asl). Cluster II included collection from Bednibugyal (3305 m asl). Cluster III was represented by collection from Tungnath (3361 m asl) and populations were also independent of variations in altitude and geographical locations. The best genetic variation (0.384) was observed in Harki-doon (3525 m asl) population as compared to other populations of S. speciosa which may be possible due to varied altitudinal, habitat, and environmental related factors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Data will be made available on reasonable request by the corresponding author.

References

  • Ayres D, Ryan FJ (1999) Genetic diversity and structure of the narrow endemic Wyethia reticulata and its congener W. bolanderi (Asteraceae) using RAPD and allozyme techniques. Am J Bot 86:344–353

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bantawa P, Das A, Ghosh PD, Mondal TK (2011) Detection of natural genetic diversity of Gultheria fragrantissima, landraces by RAPDs: An endangered woody oil bearing plant of Indio-China Himalayas. Ind J Biot 10:294–300

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barik S, Senapati S, Aparajita S, Mohapatra A, Rout GR (2006) Identification and genetic variation among Hibiscus species (Malvaceae) using RAPD markers. Zeitschrift Fur Naturoforschung 61(C):123–128

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Belaj A, Satovic Z, Cipriani G, Baldoni L, Testolin R, Rallo L, Trujilo I (2003) Comparative study of the discriminating capacity of RAPD, AFLP and SSR markers and of their effectiveness in establishing genetic relationship in olive. Theor Appl Genet 107:736–744

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatt A, Bisht KA, Rawal RS, Uppeandra D (2007) Assessment of status and biomass of Swertiaangustifolia: a high value Himalayan medicinal plant. Afr J Plant Sci 1(1):001–006

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolnick DI, Nosil P (2007) Natural selection in populations subject to a migration load. Evolution 61:2229–2243

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Booy GR, Hendriks R, Van Groenendael J (2000) Genetic diversity and survival of populations. Plant Biol. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-5958

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burt A (2000) Perspective: sex, recombination, and the efficiency of selection was Weisman right? Evolution 54:337–351

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cain ML, Milligan BG, Strand AE (2000) Long distance dispersal in plant populations. Am J Bot 87:1217–1227

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Charlesworth D (2003) Effects of inbreeding on the genetic diversity of populations. Philos Trans R Soc B Bio Sci 358:1051–1070

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chauhan SR, Dutt P (2015) Swertia speciosa wall: a new source of amaroswerin. Med Plants Int J Phytomed Relat Ind 7(2):154–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dlugosch KM, Parker IM (2008) Founding events in species invasions: genetic variation, adaptive evolution, and the role of multiple introductions. Mol Ecol 17:431–449

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doyle JJ, Doyle JL (1987) A rapid DNA isolation procedure for small quantities of fresh leaf tissue. Phyto Bull 19:11–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Duminil J, Fineschi S, Hampe A, Jordano P, Salvini D, Vendramin GG, Petit R (2007) Can population genetic structure be predicted from life-history traits? Am Soc Nat 169:662–672

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellegren H, Galtier N (2016) Determinants of genetic diversity. Nat Rev Genet 17:422–433

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellstrand NC, Elam DR (1993) Population genetic consequences of small population size: implications for plant conservation. Annu Rev EcoEvol Syst 24:217–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frankham R (2015) Genetic rescue of small inbred populations: meta-analysis reveals large and consistent benefits of gene flow. Mol Ecol 24:2610–2618

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamrick JL, Godt MJW (1996) Conservation genetics of endemic plant species. In: Avise JC, Hamrick JC (eds) Conservation genetics: case histories from nature. Chapman and Hall, New York, pp 281–304

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hamrick JL, Godt MJW (1996) Effects of life history traits on genetic diversity in plant species. Philos Trans R Soc B Biosci 351:1291–1298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamrick JL, Godt MJW, Sherman-Broyles SL (1992) Factors influencing levels of genetic diversity in woody plant species. New for 6:95–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hassanpour S, MaheriSis N, Eshratkhah B, Mehmandar FB (2011) Plants and secondary metabolites (tannins): a review. Int J for Soil Eros 1(1):47–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Hongyou L, Fengqi Z (2020) Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered plant Salix taishanensis based on GDDP markers, vol 24. Global eco cons

  • Jugran A, Bhatt ID, Rawat S, Giri L, Rawal RS, Dhar U (2011) Genetic diversity and differentiation in Hedychium spicatum, a valuable medicinal plant of Indian, Himalaya. Biochem Genet 49:806–818

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karan M, Vasisht K, Handa SS (1997) Morphological and chromatographic comparison of certain Indian species of Swertia. J Medi Aromat Plant Sci 19:955–963

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura M, Craw JF (1964) The number of alleles that can be maintained in a finite population. Genetic 49:725–738

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kshirsagar PR, Chavan JJ, Umdale SD, Nimbalkar MS, Dixit GB, Gaikwad NB (2014) Highly efficient in vitro regeneration, establishment of callus and cell suspension cultures and RAPD analysis of regenerants of Swertia lawii Burkill. Biotechnol Rep (amsterdam, Netherlands) 6:79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/jbtre.2015.03.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar RR, Chandola V, Chauhan J, Prasad P, Purohit VK (2019) Medicinal importance of Swertia speciosa (Wall. D. Don). A review. J Eme Ter Inov Res 6(6)

  • Lee HE, Jeon SJ, Ryu B, Park SJ, Ko SY, Lee Y, Kim E, Lee S, Kim H, Jang DS, Ryu JH (2016) Protective effect of Swertia longifolia Bioss. and its active compound swerchirin, on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Behav Brain Res 306(137–145):2016

    Google Scholar 

  • Loveless MD, Hamrick JL (1984) Ecological determinants of genetic structure in plant populations. Annu Rev Ecol Syst 15:65–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Méndez M, Vögeli M, Tella JL, Godoy JA (2014) Joint effects of population size and isolation on genetic erosion in fragmented populations: finding fragmentation thresholds for management. Evol Appl 7:506–518

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mohapatra A, Rout RG (2005) Identification and analysis of genetic variation among rose cultivars using random amplified polymorphic DNA. Zeitschrift furNaturforsch 60C:611–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naito K, Lsagi Y, Kameyama Y, Nakagoshi N (1999) Population structures in Rohodendron metternichii var. homdoense assessed with microsatellite and their implication for conservation. J Plant Res 112:405–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nei M (1972) Genetic distance between populations. Am Nat 106:283–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pitchard HW (2004) Classification of seed storage ‘types’ for ex-situ conservation in relation to temperature and moisture. In ex-situ conservation. In: Guerrant EO, Havens K, Maunder M (eds) Supporting species survival in the wild. Island Press, Washington, DC., pp 139–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Real LA (1994) Ecol genet. Princeton University Press, Princeton

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh R, Singh P, Agarwal A (2012) Chemical constituents and bio-pharmacological activities of Swertia chirata: a review. Nat Prod Indian J 8:238–247

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh UM, Yadav D, Tripathi MK, Kumar A, Yadav MK (2013) Genetic diversity analysis of Nardostachys jatamansi, DC. An endangered medicinal plant of central Himalaya, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Afr J Bot 12(20):2816–2821. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB12.9717. https://www.academicjournal.org/AJB

  • Singleton V, Rossi J (1965) Colorimetry of total phenolic compounds with phosphomolybdic-phosphotungstic acid reagents. Am J Enol Vitic 16:144–158

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Theurillant JP, Guisan A (2001) Potential impact of climate change on vegetation in the European Alpines: a review. Clim Change 50:77–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Till-Bottraud I, Gaudeul M (2002) Intra specific genetic diversity in alpine plants. In: Korner C, Sephn EM (eds) Mountain diversity: a global assessment. Parthenon Publishing, New York, pp 23–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Ved DK, Goraya GS (2008) Demand and Supply of medicinal plants in India. Bishan Singh, Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun & FRLTH, Bangalore

  • Weir BS (1990) Genetic data analysis. Sinauer, Sunderland

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeh FC (1999) POPGENE. Microsoft window-base freeware for population genetic analysis. Version, 1.31

  • Zhang D, Chen S, Chen S (2007) Patterns of genetic variation of Swertia prezewalskii, an endangered endemic species of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Biochem Genet 45(1–2):33–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10528-006-9057-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank both the Director of HAPPRC and GBPHIED for their assistance with the experiments.

Funding

Open Access funding provided by the project National Mission Himalayan studies, GBPNIHESD HQs Ministry of environment, forest & climate change (MoEF& CC) NHMS/MG-2016/00431/03/2016.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Center (HAPPRC), HNB Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 246174, India

    Rajeev Ranjan Kumar, Jaidev Chauhan, Vaishali Chandola, Vijay Kant Purohit & P. Prasad

  2. G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, 263643, India

    Indra Dutt Bhatt & Arun Jugran

Authors
  1. Rajeev Ranjan Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jaidev Chauhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Vaishali Chandola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vijay Kant Purohit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. P. Prasad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Indra Dutt Bhatt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Arun Jugran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

RRK and JC—collected the germplasm from all study sites and did molecular work, VC—data observation and manuscript review, VKP–designed experimental work, AJ and IDB—analyzed the work; PP—critically reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Vaishali Chandola or Vijay Kant Purohit.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The Authors declare they have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Informed consent

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kumar, R.R., Chauhan, J., Chandola, V. et al. Genetic diversity assessment in medicinal herb Swertia Speciosa (Wall.Ex.D.Don) of higher himalayan region. Vegetos (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-024-00903-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-024-00903-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation