In vitro culture and biochemical and antioxidant potential of the critically endangered medicinal plant Atropa acuminata Royle ex Lindl of Kashmir Himalaya

Atropaacuminata Royle is a critically endangered annual herb growing in Kashmir Himalaya and is used as a source of medicine for many ailments like arthritis, muscle pain, and joint pain. Due to its immense medicinal importance, the plant needs a tissue culture protocol for mass propagation. The present study is an attempt to develop a highly reliable and reproducible tissue culture protocol for this valuable herb and also an attempt to evaluate and estimate primary biochemical attributes and antioxidant activities. The tissue culture protocol was standardized using in vitro-raised nodal segments and leaves as explants followed by the studies on biochemical evaluation and antioxidant potential of both in vitro-regenerated and field-raised plant material. Best regeneration was observed on MS media augmented with BAP and IAA with the maximum number of shoots obtained as 17.33 +/- 4.15. For biochemical studies, field-growing leaf explants, in vitro-raised leaves, and callus developed were used as plant material. For antioxidant activity, in vitro-raised stem and leaf explants were used. It was observed that total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid concentration were found more in field-growing explants while total carbohydrate and soluble protein contents were more in in vitro-raised leaves. In the case of antioxidant activity studies, methanolic fraction of in vitro-raised leaves and stem showed powerful free radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 27.73 and 8.32 (mu g mL(-1)) respectively.

Automated summary

The study aimed to develop a reliable tissue culture protocol for the critically endangered herb Atropaacuminata Royle and evaluate its primary biochemical attributes and antioxidant activities. The results showed that the addition of BAP and IAA to the MS media resulted in the best regeneration of shoots.