Abstract
An in vitro propagation protocol has been developed for Berberis asiatica, an important Himalayan medicinal shrub. Significantly higher in vitro seed germination (50%) was obtained in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 1.0 µM 6-benzyladenine (BA). MS medium containing 1.0 µM BA and 0.1 µM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) yielded maximum callus induction percentage (100%) from in-vitro grown leaf explants. Maximum shoot proliferation (100%) was obtained when callus was transferred to MS medium containing 2.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM IAA or 6.0 µM BA plus 0.5 µM NAA. The maximum rooting percentage (70%) and root number per shoot (2.36) were recorded in ½ MS containing 0.05 µM IAA. Rooted shoots when transferred to potting medium containing vermiculite, soil, and sand (1:1:1) resulted in 65% survival. The phytochemical analysis of leaf samples of tissue culture-raised plants showed significantly higher alkaloids (berberine and palmatine) content than the leaf samples collected from the wild (mother plant). A similar trend was also observed in studied antioxidant and antimutagenic activities. Therefore, micropropagation of B. asiatica can be promoted for harnessing its potential as a source of berberine and natural antioxidants. This may help to reduce the pressure on the natural populations of the species.
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