Preliminary phytochemical screening of root culture of Tephrosia purpurea [Linn.] lers.

ABSTRACT

Tephrosia purpurea [Linn.] Pers. is an important Indian medicinal plant. It is used for treatment of liver, kidney and skin disorders, impotency, gonorrhea, rheumatism etc. The present study was carried out to develop and maintain root culture. This is the first report on the root culture of this medicinal plant. The qualitative chemical tests on extracts of natural roots and the roots developed in cultures showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, proteins, amino acids and reducing sugars while anthraquinones were absent in both the samples