Antimicrobial Activity of Mollugo cerviana ser. (Molluginaceae)

The ethanolic extracts of aerial shoots of Mollugo cerviana and its leaf derived callus were tested for antimicrobial activity using the filter paper disk assay method. Both the extracts showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia Coli. The antifungal activity of the extracts against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus was nil or negligible

Apomixis in Cenchrus glaucus Mudaliar et Sundaraj

A detailed cytoembryological investigation in Cenchrus glaucus revealed that it is an obligate apomict producing only aposporous embryosacs. Microsporogenesis disclose chromosomal irregularities and megasporogenesis occasionally occur and the development of sexual embryosac is completely absent. On the other hand, aposporous initials develop into 4-nucleate embryosacs. Autonomous development of the embryo is of common occurrence. © 1982 Indian Academy of Sciences

Antibacterial activity of curculigo orchioides rhizome extract on pathogenic bacteria

Curculigo orchioides rhizome extracts were evaluated for antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium) bacteria. Because the steam distilled preparation was found to be the most active amongst the different extracts, its antibacterial activity against the aforementioned strains was compared to the standard antibiotics gentamycin, ampicillin, doxycycline and erythromycin. Only the clinical isolate of S. aureus showed more sensitivity towards water extracts than the standard strain. Also, the steam distilled fraction was more effective against Gram-positive strains than Gram-negative strains. Therefore, the steam distilled extract from C. orchioides has a potential application as an antiseptic for the prevention and treatment of antibacterial infections, and the present findings support its traditional local uses

In vitro regeneration from excised leaves of Flaveria trinervia (Sprengel) C. Mohr

Flaveria trinervia (Compositae) leaves are used for the treatment of jaundice and fever. From the leaf callus cultures regeneration of plantlets has been achieved. The results showed that BAP greatly stimulated the bud formation in concentrations ranging from 2-5 mg l-1 than at very low concentrations (0.2-1.0 mg l-1). Roots developed on the regenerated shoots, over a range of treatments, but were most prolific in the medium containing 1 mg l-1 IAA. Histological observations revealed that cultured spongy cells of the mesophyll were greatly enlarged and underwent repeated cell divisions leading to the formation of hard nodular callus from which shoot buds differentiated. The shoots obtained were readily rooted and transplanted into glass houses. Cytological studies of the callus showed abnormalities such as bridges, endomitosis and multinucleolate conditions. Root tip squashes of the regenerated plants showed no variations and were diploid in chromosome number

Micropropagation and antioxidant activity of Mollugo nudicaulis Lam.

Mollugo nudicaulis Lam, is a traditionally important wild medicinal herb, the leaves have been used by traditional practioners for curing whooping cough and jaundice. This plant in nature propagated itself through seeds during rainy season, collection of plant material for extraction of drug is a major task. To overcome these constraints in vitro propagation protocol for M. nudicaulis was developed using shoot tip culture. Shoot tips were cultured on different types of nutrient medium fortified with different concentrations and combinations of growth regulators. Among these Murashige and Skoog's (MS) media containing 2 mg/l of BAP alone found to be suitable for multiple shoot induction. Roots were induced on half-strength MS medium containing IBA (1 mg/l). Further antioxidant activity was carried out using natural leaves extracts (NLE) and in vitro leaf extracts (ILE) using reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging assays. In vitro derived leaf extracts showing more antioxidant activity than NLE. In addition we examined the content of total phenolics in NLE and ILE by FC method. An approximate 1.75 fold increased total phenolic content was observed in in vitro derived leaves (2.502 mg/g) than that of natural leaves extract (1.43 mg/g). This increased phenolic content in in vitro leaf extracts indicated a good correlation between the levels of phenol and antioxidant activity. Results, suggested that the developed protocol will have a direct impact on the exploitation of biotechnological sources for extraction of large scale antioxidants for medicinal purposes

Somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from callus cultures of <i style="">Curculigo orchioides</i> Gaertn.

408-413Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. is now an endangered medicinal plant in its natural habitat due to indiscriminate harvesting and deforestation. The rhizome and tuberous roots of the plant have been used extensively in Indian indigenous medicine. The demand for C. orchioides is constantly on the rise, however, the supply is rather erratic and inadequate. Therefore, the need for in vitro propagation of this plant is crucial. A successful protocol for effective plant regeneration through somatic embryogenesis has been described. Embryogenic callus was induced from rhizome explants, and the maximum induction frequency (62%) was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (1962) basal medium (MS) containing 0.5-3 mg/L of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L BAP. Transfer of embryogenic calli to MS medium with 1-4 mg/L BAP resulted in somatic embryogenesis at high frequencies with an average of 23±0.8 somatic embryos per gram of embryogenic callus on MS medium with BAP (1 mg/L). After transfer onto ½ MS medium without growth regulators, approximately 90% of somatic embryos developed into complete plantlets. The rooted plantlets were successfully transferred to soil with 65-70% survival rate. The plants showed normal morphological characters

Role of polarity in de novo shoot bud initiation from stem disc explants of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. and its encapsulation and storability

The occurrence of strong polarity towards shoot bud induction and the effect of cytokinin(s) on each segment of stem axis, encapsulation and storability of de novo Shoot buds of Curculigo orchioides Gaertn. (Hypoxidaceae) have been documented in the present communication. Maximum number of shoot buds arising de novo from the stem discs (cross section) explanted from proximal end on MS medium fortified with BAP and KIN 1 mg/L each. Stem discs from distal end were less efficient in shoot bud induction. A combination of two cytokinins (BAP and KIN) as a synergistic effect on shoot buds induction from each segment of stem axis. Stem discs in inverted position produced shoot buds from the lower surface, showing strong polarity within the explant. Further, storability and shoot development of sodium alginate encapsulated shoot buds of Curculigo orchioides were tested on half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium fortified with coconut water (10% v/v). The frequency of regeneration from encapsulated shoot buds was affected significantly by concentration of sodium alginate and the duration of exposure to calcium chloride. Shoot buds encapsulated with 2.5% sodium alginate dissolved in MS basal salts solution recorded significantly higher shoot development than other treatments. A relatively short (5 min) incubation with calcium chloride solution provided uniform encapsulation of shoot buds that gave the highest percentage (68%) of shoot development. Encapsulated shoot buds could be stored at 4A degrees C for 50 days without reduction in viability as oppose to non-encapsulated shoot buds, which showed 9.5% viability after 20 days at 4A degrees C. Encapsulated shoot bud developed into normal shoots. Based on the present observations an improved protocol may be developed for the rapid multiplication and conservation of the endangered species-C. orchioides