Somatic Embryogenesis and Organogenesis for Regeneration of Endangered Multipurpose Desert Plant <i>Leptadenia pyrotechnica</i>Forsk. Decne in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Leptadenia pyrotechnica is an important multipurpose endangered plant in the Kingdom of Bahrain with restricted distribution. Nodal explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of indole acetic acid (IAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Initially, 80% and 60% explants responded in direct shoot and callus initiation response respectively in presence of 8.88 μM BAP with 5.71 μM IAA in modified MS media after two weeks of culture. The highest frequency of plant regeneration was observed in presence of 8.88 μM BAP with 1.14 μM IAA following organogenic pathway of differentiation. Hundred percent callus proliferation was observed while initial callus developed in presence of 4.44 μM BAP with 2.85 μM IAA and was transferred in media containing 4.44 μM, 6.66 μM BAP with 2.85 μM IAA and 13.32 μM BAP with 5.71 μM IAA. The callus derived plants were regenerated following the pathway of indirect somatic embryogenesis. The induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus was also observed in modified MS media supplemented with 4.44 μM BAP and 2.85 μM IAA. The plant regeneration protocol we developed for Leptadenia pyrotechnica will be very beneficial for biodiversity conservation and environment protection of Bahrain. Moreover, the present paper reports for the first time specifically the somatic embryogenesis in this multipurpose desert plant Leptadenia pyrotechnica.

Highly Efficient <i>in Vitro</i>Regeneration Method of Endangered Medicinal Plant <i>Heliotropium kotschyi</i>(Ramram) in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Heliotropium kotschyi (Ramram), is a very important plant in relation to environment protection and for its medicinal value in Bahrain. It has been detected as one of the endangered plants in Bahrain. Ex situ conservation of this plant applying tissue culture method was used in the present study. In vitro plant regeneration has been established via shoot organogenesis using nodal meristems. The effect of various plant growth regulators was evaluated to regenerate the whole plants by in vitro micropropagation in modified MS media supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs). In vitro regeneration of plants was involved in three steps by shoot initiation, multiplication and rooting of microshoots. Initially 100% explants of Heliotropium kotschyi responded to initiate shoot in MS medium supplemented with 8.88 μM BAP with 5.71 μM IAA after 4 weeks of culture. Multiplication of shoots and ultimate plant regeneration capacity of Heliotropium kotschyi were compared and the highest performance of 578 shoots/explant was observed in presence of 8.88 μM BAP and 5.71 μM IAA after second transfer. Rooted plantlets were transferred to soil pots and 60% plants were survived after one and a half months. The highly efficient plant regeneration protocol of the desert plant is of great value in rapid plant propagation program for the purpose of conservation of biodiversity.

Antioxidants, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial effects of isolated compounds from Swertia corymbosa (Grieb.) Wight ex C.B. Clark – An in vitro approach

The present study,antioxidant,enzyme inhibitory,anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of isolated compounds such as Decussatin(1),Gentiacaulein(2),Swertianin(3),1,8-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethoxy xanthone(methylswertianin)(4)8-hydroxy-1,2,4,6-tetramethoxyxanthone(5)and 1,2-dihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone-8-O--d-xylopyranosyl(6)were investigated using an in vitro model.Results of antioxidant studies revealed that the compound 6 possessed an efficient 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH•)(IC5007.19±4.56μmol/mL),2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid)(ABTS•^+)(42.62±0.25 mmol/L TE/g),superoxide(57.89±3.45μmol/mL),nitric oxide(18.45±1.23μmol/mL)and hydroxyl(12.13±2.76μmol/mL)radical scavenging activities,ferric reducing antioxidant power(14.76±0.10 molar Fe(II)/g),metal chelating(213.85±27.18 mg EDTA/g)ability.Compounds 6 and 3 exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity.Compound 6 displayed strongest antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli with MIC value of 3.90μg/mL and 21.21±0.25 and 20.27±0.11 mm zone of inhibition at 25μg/mL concentration respectively.In the membrane stabilization and protein denaturation test 3 was the most potent with an IC50 value of 12.57,18.75μmol/mL respectively.

Osmotic Regulation and Viability during Storage of Potato Microtubers Obtained in Vitro

Dehydration,viability,proline,sucrose and glucose concentrations were evaluated on green and white microtubers during storage at two different temperatures.After 10 months at 4℃,the green and white microtubers showed shrinkage with a dry weight loss of 3.91%and 3.15%.Both,the green and white microtubers at 4℃ presented an enhanced sprouting after storage.At 23℃,the green microtubers lost the lowest quantity in dry weight(0.8%)and white microtubers lost 2.2%.This behavior is possibly related to the increase in the thickness of the peridermis observed in green microtubers or to the osmotic regulation mediated principally by the observed concentrations of proline and glucose but not sucrose.The best storage conditions for potato microtubers obtained in vitro were at 4℃ for green or white microtubers for up to 10 months with little loss of viability.

Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.ex Royle:A critically endangered medicinal herb with rich potential for use in medicine

Aconitum heterophyllum(Patrees)is a critically endangered medicinal herb of the northwestern Himalayas and has enormous pharmacological potential.It is the only nonpoisonous member of the genus Aconitum,and has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times.A.heterophyllum is an important ingredient in many traditional systems of medicine.Mostly,it is harvested for its roots,and its medicinal properties are due to the presence of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites,commonly known as aconites.Our understanding of the pharmacological properties of this intriguing genus is continuously growing due to its broad chemical diversity.The therapeutic uses identified by traditional medicinal practice are receiving extensive study.Multiple in vitro experimental investigations of A.heterophyllum have reported the analgesic,anti-inflammatory,antiarrhythmic,antiparasitic and anticancer properties,as well as its effects on the central nervous system.In this review,we highlight the classification,distribution,commerce,traditional uses,phytochemistry,pharmacology and conservation measures relevant to this species.Additionally,this review includes the biosynthetic pathways of A.heterophyllum’s key constituents,which could be targeted to enhance the expression levels of desired metabolites via genetic interventions.Studying the genomics,transcriptomics,proteomics and metabolomic aspects of this species would be helpful in developing highly designed genotypes and chemotypes of this species to be used in commercial production.

Assessing the response of indigenous loquat cultivar Mardan to phytohormones for in vitro shoot proliferation and rooting

In vitro cultures of loquat cultivar Mardan were established using shoot apices after treating with NaOCl (5%,7%,10%,12%,14% (v/v)) for 12 min and HgCl2 (0.01%,0.05%,0.10%,0.20%,0.25% (w/v)) for 2 min.A maximum survival rate of 70% was recorded after surface sterilization with 10% NaOCl.Caulogenic response was assessed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with assorted combinations of the cytokinins,benzylaminopurine (BAP),kinetin,and N6-(2-isopentyl)adenine (2iP).Treatment of BAP 1.5 mg/L combined with 2iP 9.0 mg/L and kinetin 1.5 mg/L was found to be optimum for shoot morphogenesis in terms of the number and subsequent growth of shoots,while the highest shoot length was yielded by the combination of BAP 0.5 mg/L,kinetin 0.5 mg/L,and 2iP 3 mg/L.Higher levels of cytokinins induced callogenesis,vitrification and stunted growth to some extent.For rhizogenesis,uniform sized micro-shoots were excised and transferred to half-strength MS medium containing auxins.The best rooting expression was observed with naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 1 mg/L combined with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) 2 mg/L and paclobutrazol (PBZ) 1 mg/L.

离体及温室培养的Artemisia amygdalina的自由基清除功能(英文)

AIM:Artemisia amygdalina Decne.(Asteraceae) is a critically endangered and endemic herb of Kashmir Himalayan sub-alpine region and Pakistan.Scientific research throughout the world has evidence to support the tremendous medicinal utility of the genus Artemisia.The natural resources of medicinal plants are being reduced day by day.This study provides the alternative way for medicinal resource utilization and conservation of A.amygdalina.METHODS:In vitro-raised plants and greenhouse acclimatized plants were obtained by culturing wild explants on Murashige and Skoog's medium.Plant extracts were obtained and subjected to different antioxidant assays:DPPH assay,riboflavin photo-oxidation assay,deoxy ribose assay,ferric thiocyanate assay,thiobarbituric acid assay,post mitochondrial supernatant assay and DNA damage on agarose gel.RESULTS:In vitro grown plants,as well as those acclimatized in the greenhouse reveals antioxidant activity against hydroxyl,superoxide,and lipid peroxyl radicals.CONCLUSION:This preliminary study revealed the free radical scavenging potential of tissue culture-raised plant extracts of A.amydalina.