Article

In vitro regeneration of withania somnifera L. dunal. A rare medicinal plant

Abstract

Withania somnefera L. is a rare and endangered medicinal plant. It plays role in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular, carcinogenic, breast and prostate cancer. In addition to mental disorders, asthma, inflammation, arthritis, rheumatism, and tuberculosis, it has tremendous therapeutic value for a vast array of conditions. The therapeutic potential of W. somnifera is primarily attributable to the presence of tropane alkaloids, withanolides, and steroidal lactones. In vitro rapid propagation Withania somnefera was deliberated from shoot tip; node explants were cultured on (MS Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with B5 vitamins. In various concentrations of cytokinins and auxins ranging from 0.1 mg to 3.0 mg combinations of BAP and KN was good response from shoot tip and node. Highest number of callus induced in the concentrations of 2.5 mg BAP+2 mg NAA. Multiple shoot was noticed in 2.5 mg BAP and 1.5 mg NAA and 2 mg IBA. The present study enables the large scale production of W. somnifera L.using in vitro conditions and disease free plants.

Keywords: Withania somnifera, Micro propagation, Sterilization, growth regulators, Medicinal uses.