Plant Regeneration through Somatic Embryogenesis of Clerodendrum serratum l. and the Respective Study on its Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content

Abstract

Clerodendrum serratum in vitro C. serratum in vitro C. serratum L. is an important medicinal plant used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Urani treatments to cure many ailments like chronic bronchial asthama, syphilis, typhoid, cancer, jaundice and hypertension. Unfortunately, due to unrestricted harvesting and less effort for its cultivation, it has been identif ied as an endangered species. The present study was aimed to develop an indirect somatic embryogenesis technique for cultivation of and to extract the pharmacologically important secondary metabolites from it. Growth regulators deprivation caused positive stimulation for somatic embryogenesis. Different stages of embryo development such as globular, heart and torpedo stage were observed in embryogenic calli. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content were also compared between the non-embryogenic callus, different stages of embryogenic callus and wild plant. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content were high in embryogenic callus as compared to the wild plant. This is the f irst report of regeneration of through somatic embryogenesis that can be used to produce a large numberof plants and plant products.