Biotechnological approach towards establishment of efficient production alternative for root- derived phytomolecules with optimized yield enhancement parameters from Agrobacterium mediated "hairy root" cultures of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth

The plant Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth is a fast depleting medicinal value plant. This plant yields a crystalline product called ‘‘kutkin,’’ in its root, which is usually a mixture of two major C9-iridoid glycosides, i.e., picroside-I (6-Otrans-cinnamoyl catalpol) and kutkoside (10-O-vaniloylcatalpol). The increasing market demand of this phytoconstituent has led to threat of extinction of such a valuable endangered medicinal plant species. Attention has already been focused towards alternatives of developing production of root-derived phytomolecules in order to meet the growing demand of pharmaceutical industries. The role of Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated ‘‘hairy root’’ cultures as an efficient production alternative has undeniably proved its effectiveness in the worldwide arena. This article explores and review current technologies available to develop an optimized in vitro regeneration protocol for large-scale multiplication and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for induction and establishment of hairy roots of this valuable Indian Himalayan region plant. This plant is consisting of a wide variety of active ingredients and also utilized for establishment and selection of superior individual hairy root clones to enhance the production of root derived phytochemicals from genetically stable Agrobacterium mediated hairy root cultures. The outcome of the present report will elucidate approaches for successful induction, growth, maintenance and selection of the rapidly growing hairy root line of P. kurroa with in vitro production of desired phytomolecule production potential. The present report reviews the superiority of the selected hairy root clone in terms of root biomass and kutkoside/picroside yield over the reported field-grown P. kurroa plant will undoubtedly highlight the significance of the biotechnological approach to be applied, which can endow us with a better substitute for the exploitation of this commercially important, medicinal plant species. Due to endangered status of plants it is urgently required to save this medicinal wealth from extinction and exploit different conservational strategies for its better utilization.