In vitro propagation of Gentiana scabra Bunge – an important medicinal plant in the Chinese system of medicines

Abstract

BackgroundGentiana scabra Bunge commonly known as ‘Long dan cao’ in China has been used in traditional Chinese medicines for more than 2000 years. Dry roots and rhizome of the herb have been used for the treatment of inflammation, anorexia, indigestion and gastric infections. Iridoids and secoiridoids are the main bioactive compounds which attribute to the pharmacological properties of this plant. The species is difficult to mass propagate by seed due to the low percentage of germination and limited dormancy period. Wild populations in some locations are considered to be in the endangered category due to over exploitation.ResultsIn the present study, we report an efficient micropropagation system. Shoot apices of six weeks old in vitro grown G. scabra plants were used as explants for the in vitro propagation. Induction of multiple shoots (9.1/explant) was achieved on the culture of shoot apices on half strength Murashige and Skoog’s basal medium (MSBM) containing 2.0 mg/L−1 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), 3% sucrose and 0.9% Difco agar. In vitro shoots induced profuse rooting on half strength of MSBM supplemented with 0.1 mg/L−1 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 3% sucrose and 0.3% gelrite. A two-stage ventilation closure procedure during the in vitro culture, and transparent sachet technique enhanced the survival rate of G. scabra plantlets to 96% in the greenhouse. Tissue culture plants flowered after 5 months of transfer to pots.ConclusionsA simple and an efficient in vitro propagation protocol of Gentiana scabra Bunge by optimizing the medium composition and ventilation closure treatments has been developed. The protocol can be very useful in germplasm conservation and commercial cultivation of G. scabra plants.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-014-0056-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In vitro culture and production of syringin and rutin in Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) – an endangered medicinal plant

“…The sachet technique used in our previous report (Huang et al [ 2014 ]) was quite successful in hardening the tissue culture plantlets. Plantlets (100 %) could be hardened and established in the soil (Fig.…”

“…In our laboratory, aluminum foil and dispense paper have been used successfully to improve ventilation for cultures of Scrophularia (Chen et al [ 2006a ]), and Bupleurum (Chen et al [ 2006b ]). It was observed that aluminum foil, a less air permeable material for first 4 weeks, followed by more air permeable dispense papers for the next 4 weeks was an adequate ventilation treatment for optimum root/shoot growth and subsequent survival of G. s cabra plantlets (Huang et al [ 2014 ]). In the present study also a combination of foil and dispense paper was found to be a favorable combination for callus proliferation in S. involucrata.…”

“…each) containing a mixture of peat soil: perlite: vermiculite (1:1:1) and kept in a greenhouse. Hardening of the plantlets was achieved by following the sachet technique described in our earlier report (Huang et al [ 2014 ]). The plants were irrigated once daily and survival was recorded after two months of transfer to pots.…”

Effect of Sucrose and Media Strength on in Vitro Multiplication in Swertia Chirata Buch.-Ham Ex Wall: An Endangered Medicinal Herb

“…Gentian kurroo [27], Gentiana sps. [28], Ocimum gratissimum [29], Bacopa monnierri [30], Gentiana scabra [31], Cassia angustifolia [32]. Henceforth, sucrose at 3% concentration was considered to be most efficient for in vitro shoot multiplication of S. chirata.…”

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth), marapuama (Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth.), genciana (Gentiana lutea L.), quassia (Quassia amara L.) e suas propriedades: uma breve revisão

“…O gênero Gentiana é o maior da família das Gencianáceas, um grupo com mais de 400 espécies que se distribuem em zonas temperadas da Ásia, Europa e América (EMA (European Medicines Agency), 2010a, 2010b; Huang, et al, 2014;Mirzaee, et al, 2017;Proença da Cunha, et al, 2009); A espécie G. lutea é vulgarmente conhecida por genciana.…”