Molecular identification and phytochemical profiling of kamiling (wild toxic plant) using thin layer chromatography

Some plants may only be known by the people in their own respective place. Consequently, there is a need for the authentication and further study of wild toxic plant known by indigenous people. The genomic DNA from the leaves of the plant Kamiling collected in Imugan, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines was extracted and amplified using mat K and rbc L gene markers. Sample sequences was queried on GenBank using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) revealed that the sample sequences were identified as Semecarpus cuneiformis using both on matK and rbc L markers. The leaves of Kamiling was subjected through Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and it revealed important phytochemicals such as alkaloids, coumarins, anthraquinones, anthrones, tannins, flavonoids, higher alcohols, phenols, steroids and essential oils. Since there is a growing awareness in correlating the phytochemical constituents of plants with their pharmacological activity, wild toxic plant can be one of the preferences for medicinal uses.