Somatic embryogenesis and in vitro plant regeneration of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst., a potential medicinal water hyssop plant

Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. commonly known as waterhyssop, Brahmi plant, traditionally used for memory enhancement, nerve tonic, epilepsy, central nervous system (CNS), antidepressant, anxiety, blood pressure and antioxidant activities. Due to pharmaceutical demands its lost natural habitat. At this juncture we describe a resourceful protocol for micropropagation of water hyssop plant. Surface sterilized leaf and nodal explants were inoculated on basal MS semi-solid medium added with PGRs; auxins, cytokinins. Highest calli formation from leaf explants was obtained on NAA (2.5 mg⁻¹) and showed (94.22%) accompanied via 2,4-D showed (2.5 mg⁻¹; 82.43%), maximum calli formation in nodal explants was obtained on 2,4-D showed (2.5 mg⁻¹; 71.14%) followed by NAA (2.5 mg⁻¹) showed (62.15%), in internodes explants uppermost calli formation was obtained from 2,4-D showed (2.5 mg⁻¹; 65.21%) followed by NAA (2.5 mg⁻¹) showed (52.14%). The maximum somatic embryogenic callus, calli induction and formation (84%) was observed on 2,4-D + KIN (2.0 + 1.5 mg⁻¹) amended solid medium. Uppermost shoot formation was observed in combination of IAA + BAP (1.0 + 1.0 mg⁻¹) showed (78.54%) shoot formation followed by IBA (2.0 mg⁻¹) alone showed (75.37%). The maximum shoot elongation was noticed from NAA + BAP (3.0 + 3.0 mg⁻¹) with 21.21 cm followed by NAA (2.0 mg⁻¹) showed (15.22 cm) although, chief root formation was obtained from IBA (2.0 mg⁻¹) with 83.75% root formation along higher number of roots (47.43%) per shoot. Followed by IAA (2.0 mg⁻¹) showed root induction (73.43%) and no of roots (38.54%) per shoot. In hardening under pot condition plants survivability (100%) was observed under glass house conditions, the present in vitro PTC techniques is extremely significant to gratifying its natural conservation.

Neurodegenerative diseases and Withania somnifera (L.): An update

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal also known as 'Ashwaghanda' in Sanskrit and as 'Indian Winter Cherry' in english. is an important medicinal herb in India. It is widely used in Indian systems of medicine as an adaptogen, nerve tonic, anti-stress, memory enhancer and against cognitive deficits, insomnia, anxiety, infectious diseases, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis and gout over thousands of years. Its formulations are mainly used in Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a remarkable centuries old herbal Rasayana used to treat neuronal ailments and is known as ''Sattvic Kapha Rasayana.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To review neuroprotective properties of Withania somnifera (L.)extract as well as its active constituents in neurodegenerative diseases and other neurological ailments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sources of information used in present article include Indian system of Medicine reports on the use of natural products, Medicinal books, research articles and scientific databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science-Direct, SciFinder, ACS Publications and Wiley Online Library.

RESULTS

Research reports based largely on preclinical studies as well as few clinical trials have highlighted the neuroprotective role of Ashwagandha against many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. The protective effects of Ashwagandha were accomplished by restoring mitochondrial and endothelial function, mitigation of apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we recapitulated neuroprotective properties of Ashwagandha extracts and/or its major constituents and discussed their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications. The pre-clinical as well as clinical studies suggest the use of Withania somnifera (L.) against neurodegenerative disease. However, extensive studies are warranted to validate the use of extract or its single constituents for its clinical use.