Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is one of the genuine medicinal materials in Sichuan. Its original species are Rheum palmatum, Rh. tanguticum, and Rh. officinale, recorded by Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2025 Edition). However, there are many cases of multi-origin mixing and adulterant incorporation in the current commercially available Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, and the variety origin needs to be clarified urgently. In this study, the ndhF-rpl32 region of chloroplast genomes, as specific DNA barcode reported previously, was selected and confirmed. The VPCR method was established to identify the authenticity and origin of rhubarb medicinal materials, decoction pieces and Chinese patent medicines, in the process of optimizing DNA extraction procedure, amplification system and amplification procedure. Compared with the traditional PCR method, the amplification procedure has been refined through a VPCR heating model, curtailing the detection from 1.5 h to 30 min. The 85 batches of samples collected from the circulation area were tested by VPCR method, including 30 batches of medicinal materials, 40 batches of decoction pieces and 15 batches of Chinese patent medicines which contain Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The experimental results showed that 31 batches are Rh. tanguticum (including 18 batches of medicinal materials, 10 batches of decoction pieces and 3 batches of Chinese patent medicines), 36 batches are Rh. officinale (including 1 batches of medicinal materials, 25 batches of decoction pieces and 10 batches of Chinese patent medicines) and 13 batches are Rh. palmatum (including 8 batches of medicinal materials and 5 batches of decoction pieces). The pass rate is 94.1%. Three batches of rhubarb medicinal materials (No. CD1, CD2, CD3) and two batches of Chinese patent medicines (No.Z4 tablet, No.Z12 granule) were determined to be Rh. franzenbachii Munt, as one of counterfeit Rhei Radix et Rhizoma varieties. The VPCR method established in this study can be used as supplement to rhapontin TLC inspection test of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2025 Edition) and standardize the market for this clinical medication as well as improve the safety of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |