BackgroundThe concept of DNA barcoding for species identification has gained considerable momentum in animals because of fairly successful species identification using cytochrome oxidase I (COI). In plants, matK and rbcL have been proposed as standard barcodes. However, barcoding in complex genera is a challenging task.Methodology and Principal FindingsWe investigated the species discriminatory power of four reportedly most promising plant DNA barcoding loci (one from nuclear genome- ITS, and three from plastid genome- trnH-psbA, rbcL and matK) in species of Indian Berberis L. (Berberidaceae) and two other genera, Ficus L. (Moraceae) and Gossypium L. (Malvaceae). Berberis species were delineated using morphological characters. These characters resulted in a well resolved species tree. Applying both nucleotide distance and nucleotide character-based approaches, we found that none of the loci, either singly or in combinations, could discriminate the species of Berberis. ITS resolved all the tested species of Ficus and Gossypium and trnH-psbA resolved 82% of the tested species in Ficus. The highly regarded matK and rbcL could not resolve all the species. Finally, we employed amplified fragment length polymorphism test in species of Berberis to determine their relationships. Using ten primer pair combinations in AFLP, the data demonstrated incomplete species resolution. Further, AFLP analysis showed that there was a tendency of the Berberis accessions to cluster according to their geographic origin rather than species affiliation.Conclusions/SignificanceWe reconfirm the earlier reports that the concept of universal barcode in plants may not work in a number of genera. Our results also suggest that the matK and rbcL, recommended as universal barcode loci for plants, may not work in all the genera of land plants. Morphological, geographical and molecular data analyses of Indian species of Berberis suggest probable reticulate evolution and thus barcode markers may not work in this case.

SummaryPlatelet activating factor (PAF) is a potent pro-inflammatory negotiator that shows distinct spectrum of biological and pharmacological effects. Importantly, it participates in a wide range of pathophysiological conditions. In cardiovascular system, PAF has been shown to have an important role in platelet and neutrophil aggregation, vascular permeability, microvascular leakage, thrombus formation, leukocyte adhesion to the endothelial cells, and initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this article was to review the PAF, a family of lipids that is associated with the pathology of coronary artery diseases due to their association with leading etiological mechanisms such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative and nitrosative stress, and platelet reactivity. This review further provides information about PAF and its potential role as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders.

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