Effect of Growth
Regulators and Culture Conditions on Direct Root
Induction of Rauwolfia serpentina L (Apocynaceae)
Benth by Leaf Explants
Ved
Prakash Pandey*, Elizabeth Cherian and George Patani
Dr.
Patani Scientific and Industrial Research, PSIR
Building, Inga Complex, Mahakali Road, Andheri (E),
Mumbai 400093, India
*Corresponding author:
E-mail:
psir79@gmail.com Tel:
+91-22-28202932; Fax: +91-22-28364049
Received: 26
July 2009
Revised
accepted: 11 November 2009
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, February 2010;
9(1):
27-34
Abstract
Purpose:
Rauwolfia serpentina (L.)
Benth, from the family,
Apocynaceae, is an important medicinal plant due to the
alkaloid content of its root. The purpose of this study
was to obtain roots directly from leaf explant using
growth regulators.
Methods:
The leaf explant was inoculated on MS (Murashige and
Skoog) medium supplemented with single and combinations
of growth regulators. Root growth was also observed on
liquid MS medium and under dark conditions. The
reserpine content of the roots obtained was determined
by HPLC.
Results:
Two combinations of auxins namely, para-amino benzoic
acid (PABA) + a-naphthalene acetic acid ( NAA), and
3-Indole butyric acid (IBA) + NAA, promoted better root
growth compared to single auxin treatment. The highest
number of roots and regeneration response was observed
on leaf explant cultured on MS media supplemented with
PABA (1 mg l-1) + NAA (4 mg l-1).
Liquid MS media gave slower growth, reduced number of
roots, shorter root length as well as absence of
reserpine, using the same combination of growth
regulators, compared to solid MS media. The culture
incubated under dark conditions produced thin roots.
HPLC analysis of the regenerated roots indicated low
alkaloid (reserpine) content (0.01 – 0.03). However,
higher alkaloid content (0.03%) was observed in cultures
with fewer numbers of roots.
Conclusion:
A simple and reliable protocol for direct induction of
roots from leaf explant of R. serpentina using plant
growth regulators has been developed.
Keywords:
Rauwolfia serpentina; Leaf explant; Root induction;
Growth regulators; Auxins; Reserpine.
