Plumbago indica (Plumbaginaceae) is an important indigenous medicinal plant commonly known as Lal Chitra. The roots contain an orange-yellow pigment plumbagin. Chemically, plumbagin is 2-methyl-5-hydroxy-1,4-napthoquinone. The roots are used as antimalarial, anticancer, antimicrobial, cardiotonic and also posses anti-fertility activity. The present work is an attempt to search for an alternative source of plumbagin. The callus was initiated from leaf and stem explants on MS medium supplemented with 2,4-D + NAA (1ppm each). The plumbagin content of callus as well as natural root were determined using HPLC and it is found that callus contain more plumbagin as compared to natural root.
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