Abstract:
The present study deals with the phytochemical analyses and determination of
antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antidiabetic and anticancer potential of in vitro plant
tissue and callus culture extracts of Cichorium intybus L., Peganum harmala L. and
Withania. somnifera (L.) Dun. Maximum seed germination was observed in P.
harmala seeds. Explants such as hypocotyl and cotyledon from in vitro seedlings
were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different combinations and
concentrations of plant growth regulators for callus induction. The most successful
culture media were 0.05 TDZ + 0.5 NAA mg/L, 0.05 TDZ + 0.5 IBA mg/L and 0.05
TDZ + 0.5 BAP mg/L for callus induction of C. intybus, P. harmala and W. somnifera
two for each respectively. Four different solvents depending upon polarity were used
for extraction of explant tissues and callus cultures. Maximum percentage yield was
recorded in chloroform extract of cotyledon callus cultures of C. intybus followed by
chloroform extract of hypocotyl callus of P. harmala and cotyledon callus of W.
somnifera respectively. Phytochemical analyses of extracts indicated the presence of
valuable phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins,
reducing sugars and terpenoids. Antimicrobial potential was tested against pathogenic
bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa) and fungi (Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani). Maximum inhibition
zones were recorded in methanol extracts of P. harmala and C. intybus hypocotyl
callus culture against B. subtilis and E. coli respectively followed by chloroform and
methanol extracts. Anthelmintic test showed that methanol extract of cotyledon callus
culture of P. harmala exhibited considerable anthelmintic potential. Antidiabetic
potential of methanol extracts of callus cultures was evaluated by using rabbits as
experimental organisms. The extract of C. intybus hypocotyl callus culture showed
maximum decrease in blood sugar level followed by the W. somnifera cotyledon
callus culture in streptozotocin induced diabetic rabbits. Anticancer activity was
conducted through HTC116 human colon cancer cell lines cultured in Dulbecco’s
Modified Eagle Medium. Methanol extract of P. harmala hypocotyl callus cultures
showed highest anticancer potential followed by chloroform extract of hypocotyl
callus culture of C. intybus. It can be concluded that callus cultures of the plants
selected for study hold auspicious ethno-pharmacological effectiveness and in vitro
biomass production may be helpful for biodiversity conservation
