In Vitro Propagation of Alternanthera sessilis L. from Internode Explant.

An efficient protocol was developed for micropropagation of Alternanthera sessilis L. from internode explant. Callus was developed from the cut ends and surface of the internode explants when the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium was supplemented with 0.5mg/L or 1.0mg/L 2,4-D. The greatest mean number of shoots (124) with the highest mean shoot length (9.3cm) was obtained when calli were cultured on the MS medium with 1.0mg/L each of 6-Benzylaminopurine and adenine sulfate. Early and maximum root induction was noted when shoots were cultured in half strength MS basal medium. In vitro regenerated plants were successfully hardened in a mixture of soil and cow dung in ratio of 3:1 and transferred to field. Cent percent plants survived in field condition, morphologically identical to parent plant and showed normal flowering.

Column chromatography for isolation of andrographolide from in vitro grown medicinal plant-andrographis paniculata wall. ex nees.

Andrographis paniculata which is commonly known as Kalmegh is an important medicinal plant. The Methanol extract of in vitro grown A. paniculata was used for column chromatography to isolate its active ingredient- Andrographolide. The melting point and UV detection wave length of the colourless crystal recovered after column chromatography were recorded as 235oC and 220nm respectively. Comparison of recorded UV spectral data, characteristic IR spectra and melting point of isolated constituents with previous literatures indicates that the isolated crystal is the andrographolide of A. paniculata.