Development and characterization of polymorphic chloroplast microsatellite markers in sweet flag (Acorus calamus L.)

Abstract

The history of medicinal plants and their uses in India is as old as human civilization. These are viewed as a possible bridge between sustainable economic development, affordable health care and conservation of vital biodiversity. WHO (2002) estimates that about 80% of the world’s population depends on herbal medicines for their primary healthcare [1, 2]. Out of these, one of the highly valued herbal and medicinal plant species, which commonly exists in India, is Acorus calamus L. This species is known as Vasa Bach (Hindi) and Sweet flag (English) and considered endangered in Kerala and vulnerable in Tamil Nadu [3]. It is a highly valued herbal and economically important plant species in India and other European countries from very early times as a stimulant, brain tonic, aphrodisiac, laxative, emetic, expectorant, emmenagogue and diuretic. It is therefore used as an ingredient in the several drugs of the Unani, Ayurveda and Local Health Care Systems [4].