In vitro propagation of an epiphytic and rare orchid Eria bambusifolia Lindl.

Orchids seeds are minute, unique lacking storage tissues and they are marveled for their mystic shapes and colour for centuries. Asymbiotic seed germination opened up new avenues in rescuing of orchids from their wild population. In the present study, an epiphytic and rare orchid Eria bambusifolia seeds were germinated in two different Knudson (KC) and Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium. Higher germination percentage was noted in MS medium so it was selected for further studies. The MS medium was nourished with different phytohormones and NAA at 2 mg/l was found to enhance shoot and root length. The rooted seedlings were acclimatized successfully

Response of Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb. Rabaceae) to Vesicular-arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Rhizobium sp. in Sterilized Soil

The effect of inoculation of six species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi viz., Gigaspora margarita, Glomus mosseae, G. monosporum, G. versiformis, G. fasciculatum, G. deserticola and Rhizobium sp. on growth and NPK content in siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) was studied. The mycorrhizal species were isolated from the rhizosphere forest soils of the Western Ghats and multiplied in pot culture with Sorghum bicolor as the host plant. Rhizobium sp. isolated from fresh nodules of siratro was cultured and maintained in yeast extract mannitol broth. The influence of VAM fungi and Rhizobium sp. either singly or in combination on growth and nutrient contents of siratro showed statistically significant increase after only 60 days of plant growth. Dual inoculation with VAM fungi and Rhizobium increased plant nodule number and tissue NPK content. Highest growth and nutrient content were exhibited by plants inoculated with Rhizobium together with multiple VAM fungi

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

AbstractThe 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-β-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) (IC50 07.19±4.56μmol/mL), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiozoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS+) (42.62±0.25mmol/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±0.10molar Fe (II)/g), metal chelating (213.85±27.18mg 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±0.11mm 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

Evaluation of Anticonvulsant, Sedative, Anxiolytic, and Phytochemical Profile of the Methanol Extract from the Aerial Parts of Swertia corymbosa (Griseb.) Wight ex C.B. Clarke

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic, antidepressant, and anticonvulsant activity of the methanolic extract of Swertia corymbosa (SCMeOH). After acute toxicity test, oral treatment with SCMeOH at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg behavioral models of open field, elevated-plus-maze, actophotometer, rotarod, pentylenetetrazole, isoniazid, and maximal electroshock induced seizure models were utilized. In open field test, SCMeOH (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) ( < 0.01, < 0.001) increased the number of rearings. However, the number of central motor and ambulation ( < 0.01, < 0.001) were reduced. Likewise, the number of entries and the time spent in open arm were increased while the number of locomotion was decreased ( < 0.001) in elevated-plus-maze and actophotometer test, respectively. SCMeOH (125-500 mg/kg) protected the mice against the pentylenetetrazole and isoniazid induced convulsions; it causes significant ( < 0.01 and < 0.001) dose dependent increase in latency of convulsion. Treatment with SCMeOH reduced the duration of the tonic hind limb extension induced by electroshock. Two major compounds such as gentiopicroside and swertianin were analyzed by HPLC system

Effect of Gymnema montanum Leaves on Serum and Tissue Lipids in Alloxan Diabetic Rats

The effect of Gymnema montanum leaves on alloxaninduced hyperlipidemia was studied in male Wistar rats. Ethanolic extract of G. montanum leaves was administered orally and different doses of the extract on blood glucose, serum and tissue lipids, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxides, and glutathione in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were studied. G. montanum leaf extract (GLEt) at doses of 50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight for 3 weeks suppressed the elevated blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic rats. GLEt at 200 mg/kg body weight was found to be comparable to glibenclamide, a reference drug. These data indicate that G. montanum represents an effective antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic adjunct for the treatment of diabetes and a potential source of discovery of new orally active agent for future therapy

High frequency in vitro plantlet regeneration and antioxidant activity of Enicostema axillare(Lam.) Raynal ssp. littoralis (Blume) Raynal: An important medicinal plant

Objective: To develop a method for high frequency plantlets regeneration protocol for Enicostema axillare (Lam.) Raynal ssp. littoralis (Blume) Raynal (E. axillare) without intermediate callus phase and to determine the content and correlation of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity of both the plants derived from nature and nodal culture by DPPH assay. Methods: The nodal explants were cultured on MS basal medium fortified with different concentration of various growth regulators such as BAP, KIN, TDZ and 2iP (0.5–2 mg/L) individually and in combinations with or without GA3 for shoot bud induction and multiplication. Total phenol and flavonoid content was determined in both plants from nature and nodal culture and antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH assay. Results: The highest number of multiple shoot (108.00±3.55 shoots/explants) was obtained on MS medium supplemented with BAP (2 mg/L) in combination with KIN (0.5 mg/L) and GA3 (2 mg/L). Rooting was optimized on half-strength MS medium supplemented with IAA (0.5 mg/L). The rooted plantlets were transferred to paper cups containing vermiculite and hardening was successfully attained with 75% survival. Among the four extract of methanol and water extract from both the plantlet from nature and nodal culture, the concentration of flavonoid was found to be higher in methanol extract of the plants from nature (146.57±1.68 mg rutin/g extract) and phenol content was higher in the water extract of plant from nature (52.53±1.67 mg GAE/g extract). The radical scavenging activity of four extracts. Methanol extract of plant grown in nature showed the highest radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 87.10 μg/mL) was investigated by DPPH test. Conclusion: The present study not only enables reinforcement of wild plant populations using ex situ growth of individuals, but it also helps for high scale production of plantlets. A high correlation between antioxidant capacities and their total phenolic contents indicated that flavonoid compounds were a major contributor of antioxidant activity of both plants grown from nature and nodal culture

Direct somatic embryogenesis of Malaxis densiflora (A. Rich.) Kuntze

A protocol for induction of direct somatic embryogenesis and subsequent plant regeneration for the medicinally important and endangered plant of Malaxis densiflora has been developed for the first time. In the present study, in vitro seed derived protocorm explants were cultured on half strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), Picloram and Dicamba individually and in combination with cytokinins BAP, TDZ and Kn for its effectiveness to induce the differentiation of somatic embryos. The best response was observed in protocorms cultured half strength MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D at 3.39 μM and TDZ at 6.80 μM. Both epidermal and sub epidermal cells were involved in the formation of embryos. The proembryos developed into globular stage and subsequently developed into protocoms. Complete plantlets were formed after 60 days of culture. The plantlets were acclimatized in plastic pots containing sterilized vermiculite. The survival rate was 76%

An efficient <i>in vitro</i> propagation, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of <i>Aphyllorchis montana</i> Rchb.f.

<p>An <i>in vitro</i> plant regeneration protocol was successfully established in <i>Aphyllorchis montana</i>, a saprophytic achlorophyllous orchid by culturing immature seeds. Among the six basal media evaluated for seed germination, BM-1-Terrestrial Orchid medium was found to be the best followed by Knudson C medium. Half-strength BM-1-Terrestrial Orchid medium was supplemented with different growth regulators either individually or in combinations for multiplication of shoots induction. Of the five cytokinins tested, thidiazuron at 6.8 μM was found to be most effective for multiple shoot induction yielding 17.24 ± 0.27 shoots after 10 weeks of culture. Addition of low concentration of α-Naphthaleneacetic acid (1.3 μM) in MS medium supplemented with the cytokinin thidiazuron (6.8 μM) favored shoot multiplication. The addition of organic additives to the medium containing thidiazuron enhanced the number of regenerated shoots. The plantlets were acclimatized, and the survival rate was 100%. Screening of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and estimation of total phenolics and flavonoid content of methanolic extracts of micropropagated plants were also carried out and compared with that of the wild-grown plants. In all the tests, methanolic extract from wild-grown plants showed higher antioxidant, antimicrobial activity, total phenolics and flavonoid content than <i>in vitro</i> propagated plants.</p

An ethnobotanical study of orchids in Anamalai hill range, southern western ghats, India

In the present investigation, diversity of orchids in Anamalai hill range was studied which recorded 20 genera with 25 species with their medicinal importance. The study observed the rapid depletion of orchid species due to destruction of natural habitat by deforestation, upper layer soil erosion, overgrazing, etc. Their disappearance indicates a change in the quality of soil and air of the region. Therefore, adequate management actions including both in situ and ex situ conservation measures need to be undertaken

Plant regeneration through direct somatic embryogenesis, antioxidant properties, and metabolite profiles of <i>Swertia corymbosa</i> (Griseb.) Wight <i>ex</i> C.B. Clarke

<p>A protocol for induction of direct somatic embryogenesis and subsequent plant regeneration for the medicinally important and endangered plant of <i>Swertia corymbosa</i> has been developed for the first time. In the present study, <i>in vitro</i> derived leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) individually and in combination with cytokinins for its effectiveness to induce the differentiation of somatic embryos. The antioxidant activities of methanolic extracts from non-embryonic callus (NEC), pre-embryoid masses (PEM), somatic embryos at globular stage (SEG), somatic embryos at heart-shaped stage (SEHS), and cotyledonary embryos (SEC) of <i>S. corymbosa</i> were evaluated using three <i>in vitro</i> assays: scavenging of free radicals (DPPH and ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant test. In all cases, the methanolic extract from SEG demonstrated better antioxidant activity than those taken from other tested samples. Higher amounts of swertianin (<b>1</b>), methylswertianin (<b>2</b>), and 1,2- dihydroxy-6-methoxyxanthone-8-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (<b>3</b>) were found in SEG stage followed by SEHS and PEM when compared to NEC and SEC.</p