Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>The root of<jats:italic>Gentiana scabra</jats:italic>is commonly known as Longdan in Chinese herbal medicines and has been used in the treatment of inflammation, anorexia, indigestion and gastric infections for over 2000 years. High market demand had made<jats:italic>G. scabra</jats:italic>(GS) plants not to be the only source of Longdan in China, other<jats:italic>Gentiana</jats:italic>spp.,<jats:italic>G. triflora, G. manshurica</jats:italic>and<jats:italic>G. rigescens</jats:italic>, were also recognized as Longdan in China now.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>In this study, we identified three Taiwan-specific<jats:italic>Gentiana</jats:italic>spp.,<jats:italic>G. davidii var. formosana</jats:italic>(GDF) and<jats:italic>G. arisanensis</jats:italic>(GA) and<jats:italic>G. scabrida var. punctulata</jats:italic>(GSP) that are phylogenetically different from GS (main source of Longdan). However, the active compounds of Longdan, gentiopicroside and swertiamari, were found in GSP and GDF showed higher antioxidant ability and free radical scavenging activities than Chinese Longdan. This discovery might explore the medicinal potential of GDF. Meanwhile, another Taiwan-specific<jats:italic>Gentiana</jats:italic>spp., GSP, was found to have the strongest antioxidant ability and free radical scavenging activities which might suggest a possible use of GSP as a source of natural antioxidant agents for industrial purpose.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>The finding of this study indicated that ITS analysis can be used to identify Taiwan-specific<jats:italic>Gentiana</jats:italic>spp. Also the Taiwan-specific<jats:italic>Gentiana</jats:italic>spp. which has strongest antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities among others could be a better choice for industrial purpose.</jats:p></jats:sec>