Authors : V. S. KALE
Page Nos : 34-36
Description :
Tropane alkaloids is pharmaceutically one of the important class of alkaloids. Atropine, scopolamine and hyoscine are important among them. Atropine and scopolamine are used to a large extent in ophthalmic practice. Atropine is used as an antidote. It is one of the widely used safest antidote. Tropane alkaloids are also used as an important ingredient in various ayurvedic preparations. Earlier Atropa belladona was used as the ultimate source of tropane alkaloids. However in present time Datura metel is used as an alternate source of these alkaloids as Atropa became scare. Datura metel L. is an annual indigenous herb. Its leaves contain about 0.5 per cent alkaloids chiefly scopolamine (hyoscine) with traces of hyoscyamine and atropine.
In the present investigation callus from three different explants of D. metel viz. petiole, leaf and nodal sector were cultured on MS medium containing NAA, kinetin and their combinations. Highest and earliest callusing (40 days) was observed on the medium containing 2, 4-D (1mg/l) + Kinetin (1mg/l). Highest callus formation with petiole explants was observed in MS medium supplemented with 2, 4-D (2 mg /l). Enhancement in alkaloid production was noticed up to 7.5mM concentrations of NaCl and Na2SO4 salts. However at higher concentrations of both the salts, there was considerable decrease in the alkaloid content
Keywords: Datura metel, germination, callus culture.
