Photo-dependent somatic embryogenesis from non-embryogenic calli and its polyphenolics content in high-valued medicinal plant of Ajuga bracteosa.

Ajuga bracteosa (A. bracteosa) is one of the critically endangered and high-valued medicinal plants worldwide. Light is one of the major factor or stimulus involved in the morphogenic responses and bioactive compounds production in various medicinal plants. In this study, unique properties of colored lights have been observed on induction of somatic embryos from non-embryonic calli cultures of A. bracteosa. The maximum callogenic response (92.32%) from leaf explants was observed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with benzyl adenine (BA; 2.0 l-1) and 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2.4-D; 1.0 mg l-1). Calli cultures with same hormonal concentrations were placed under different spectral lights for somatic embryogenesis and photochemical variations. Red lights were found effective for maximum somatic embryos induction (92.75%) with optimum biomass accumulation (152.64 g l-1) on day 40. Similarly, among all the spectral lights, red light exhibited the highest DPPH-radical scavenging activity (DRSA; 92.86%). In contrast, blue lights induced maximum biosynthesis of chemically important total phenolics content and total flavonoids content (TPC; 0.264 and TFC; 0.06 mg/g-DW), respectively. Furthermore, blue, green and red lights also enhanced phenolics and production, polyphenolics content and total polyphenolics production in somatic embryos. It is concluded that exposure of calli cultures to colored lights provides an effective and promising in vitro technique for conservation of endangered A. bracteosa species and enhancement of its bioactive compounds. Steps should be taken to adopt these strategies/ techniques at a larger scale in order to yield maximum benefits from this highly valued medicinal plant species.

Silicon promotes adventitious shoot regeneration and enhances salinity tolerance of Ajuga multiflora bunge by altering activity of antioxidant enzyme.

We investigated the effect of Si concentration on shoot regeneration and salinity tolerance of Ajuga multiflora. Addition of Si to the shoot induction medium significantly increased the frequency of shoot induction. The average number of shoots regenerated per explant decreased on the medium containing NaCl alone, while there was less decrease when the shoot induction medium was supplemented with both NaCl and Si. The shoot induction percentage increased linearly with increasing concentration of Si in the NaCl containing medium. Addition of Si to the shoot induction medium significantly increased SOD, POD, APX, and CAT activity in regenerated shoot buds as compared with the control. The inclusion of Si to the NaCl containing medium significantly increased the SOD activity in leaves and roots, while it decreased POD, APX, and CAT activity in both organs. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that there are no distinct differences in the structure of stomata between the control and Si-treated plants. However, NaCl treatment significantly affected the structure and number of stomata as compared to the control. Wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the high Si deposition in trichomes of plants grown in the Si containing medium but not in plants grown in the medium without Si.

Frost tolerance in excised leaves of the common bugle (Ajuga reptans L.) correlates positively with the concentrations of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs).

Mass increases in raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs, alpha1,6-galactosyl extensions of sucrose) are well documented in the generative tissues of many plants upon cold acclimation, and they (i.e. mainly the two shortest RFO members, raffinose and stachyose) have been suggested as frost stress protectants. Our focus here was on the longer RFO members as they commonly occur in the frost-hardy evergreen labiate Ajuga reptans in its natural habitat, and accumulate to their highest concentrations in winter when the plant is faced with sub-zero temperatures. We examined the effects of RFO concentration and chain length on frost tolerance using excised leaves which accumulate long-chain RFOs under both cold and warm conditions, thereby uncoupling the acclimation temperature from RFO production. We demonstrated that frost tolerance in excised A. reptans leaves correlates positively with long-chain RFO accumulation under both acclimation temperatures. After 24 d post-excision in the warm, the leaves had increased their RFO concentrations (mainly long-chain RFOs) 22-fold to 78 mg g(-1) fresh weight, and decreased their EL(50) values (temperature at which 50% leakage occurred) from -10.5 to -24.5 degrees C, suggesting a protective role for these oligosaccharides in the natural frost tolerance of A. reptans.