In vitro propagation, genetic stability and alkaloids analysis of acclimatized plantlets of Thalictrum foliolosum

Thalictrum foliolosum is an endemic herb known for its medicinal properties and used for various clinical applications including ophthalmic, skin disease and dyspepsia. Due to its medicinal properties, the plants are uprooted hence can be prone to extinction. In the present study, a reproducible in vitro propagation protocol has been developed using axillary shoot buds and nodal segments. Seedling derived axillary shoot buds were cultured in Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium supplemented with 2.24 µmol of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and readily produced maximum shoot (7.2 ± 0.40) with the highest percentage of response (91.42%). Also, nodal explants (field-grown plant) developed maximum shoots (3.2 ± 0.48) on MS medium containing 4.49 µmol BAP with a combination of 0.54 µmol α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Best growth and foliage development was achieved at 2.24 µmol BAP with 0.54 µmol NAA in presence of 0.3% activated charcoal and 113.4 µmol ascorbic acid. Micropropagated shoots showed maximum percentage (63.30%) of rooting in half-strength MS medium containing 1.23 µmol indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and acclimatized in soilrite and leaf manure (2:1) during 4 weeks. Monomorphic bands developed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers confirmed the genetic stability of in vitro established plants. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed higher benzylisoquinoline (BIQ) alkaloids content in in vitro established plant root extracts. The micropropagation protocol developed in this study provides an alternative strategy for germplasm conservation and protection which at the same time can also be exploits for the production of pharmacologically active compounds. An efficient protocol for the production of genetically stable tissue-raised planting material of Thalictrum foliolosum has been developed for its conservation and pharmaceutical uses.