In vitro propagation and antioxidant potential of Berberis asiatica from Western Himalaya

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.

Keywords:

• Berberis
• micropropagation
• antioxidant
• anti-mutagenic
• berberine
• palmatine

Acknowledgement

We thank Director GBPNIHE, for his encouragement and facilities. Colleagues of Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Management are thanked for cooperation and help during the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Financial support received from The State Biotech Department, Dehradun, Uttarakhand under the Grant No. SBP/R&D-02/11/432 and In house project 4 is greatly acknowledged.

Funding

Financial support received from The State Biotech Department, Dehradun, Uttarakhand under the Grant No. SBP/R&D-02/11/432 and In house project 4 is greatly acknowledged.