Micropropagation of Ophiorrhiza eriantha Wight. through Leaf Explant Cultures

Leaf explants of Ophiorrhiza eriantha cultured in MS supplemented with the combination of NAA 4 mg/l and BA 0.5 mg/l induced higher callus growth. The maximum number of shoots were produced from callus on the MS supplemented with BA 5 mg/l. The regenerated shoots were transferred into the auxin containing medium for rooting and IBA 3 mg/l supplemented medium produced maximum number of roots per shoot. Camptothecin (anticancer drug) was isolated from O. eriantha wild grown plant and in vitro regenerated plants, and was confirmed by LC-MS-MS. The camptothecin content in wild grown plant, callus and regenerated plants were quantified by HPLC system. Key words: Camptothecin, Leaf explants, Ophiorrhiza eriantha, Micropropagation D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v20i1.5960 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 20(1): 13-20, 2010 (June)