Rapid multiplication of Phyllanthus fraternus: a plant with anti-hepatitis viral activity

Abstract

Aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus fraternus (used in Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine for the treatment of jaundice) possesses anti-hepatitis virus DNA polymerase activity. As the availability of P. fraternus is restricted by geographical distribution and seasonal growth, the present investigations were aimed at standardizing procedures for micropropagation of P. fraternus using shoot tip and nodal cultures to make it available all-year-round. Shoot tip and nodal explants were cultured on B 5 medium supplemented with 0, 10 −7, 10 −6 and 10 −5 M benzylaminopurine (BAP) or kinetin (KN). The presence of BAP in the medium promoted multiple shoot formation from both types of explants. Of the two explants, shoot tips were found to be more amenable for shoot multiplication. About 14–16 shoots were obtained from a single shoot tip in approximately 28 days on medium with 10 −5 M BAP. Whenever required the individual shoots could be rooted on half-strength B 5 medium supplemented with 10 −6 M IBA. Thus the media standardised for multiple shoot formation/axillary bud sprouting through shoot tip cultures can be exploited for multiplication of desirable genotypes or potential somaclonal variants (such as those with high levels of active principle or with higher therapeutical value) at commercial level. Moreover, these can be directly used for drug production without any chemical pretreatments.