In Vitro Propagation of Rhinacanthus nasutus: A Medicinal Herb
N. Sudhakar *
Centre for Advanced studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai- 600 025, India.
D. Nagendra
Centre for Advanced studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai- 600 025, India
N. Mohan
Centre for Advanced studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai- 600 025, India.
K. Murugesan
Centre for Advanced studies in Botany, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai- 600 025, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Rhinacanthus nasutus is an important medicinal plant which posses anticancer, anti fungal, antiviral properties. A regeneration protocol has been developed for Rhinacanthus nasutus using leaf and shoot tip nodal explants. Calli were induced on MS media supplemented with 2, 4-D (0.5mg/l). The calli were cultured on MS medium with different concentrations of KIN in combination with GA3. KIN at 1.25 mg/l was much more effective for shoot regeneration and elongation of shoots was noticed on MS media supplemented with 1.30?M GA3 within two weeks. The developed shoots were transferred to half strength MS medium containing IBA (1 mg/l) for rooting. The rooted plantlets were successfully established (100%) in the pots containing sand, peat moss and humus in a (1:1:1) for a period of two weeks.
Keywords: Acclimatization, Callus, Rhinacanthus nasutus, Shoot tip and leaf explants, Shoot elongation