Successful Indirect Regeneration of Arnebia pulchra (Roemer and Schultes) as Medicinal Plant

Arnebia pulchra (Willd. ex Roem. & Schult.) Edm. is an endangered, perennial member of Boraginaceae family. Spectrophotometric and LC-Mass analysis confirmed the existence of shikalkin derivatives in its root skin and polyphenolic compounds in the inner part of its root. Studies on the regeneration of A. pulchra from its callus resulted in successful callus induction in the root explants excised from the young plantlets on MS medium amended with 2,4-D (1 mg.l-1) and kinetin (0.5 mg.l-1) at 25°C in darkness. The highest frequency of shooting (15 shoots per callus) was achieved for the calli sub-cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D (0.1 mg.l-1) and kinetin (2 mg.l-1) in 2 weeks. The concentration and type of auxin were found critical for successful rooting. The best rooting conditions with a frequency rate of 80% were obtained for the regenerates which were sub-cultured on half-strength MS medium supplemented with IBA (1 mg.l-1), NAA (1 mg.l-1) and kinetin (0.2 mg.l-1). The regeneration method developed in this work provides a basis for germplasm conservation of A. pulchra.