In vitro propagation of medicinal plant Guggul : A review

Abstract

Commiphora wightii (Arnott) Bhandari is a medicinally important plant which is now considered an critically endangered species of the family Burseraceae. It is found in arid, rocky tracts of Rajasthan and Gujarat Maharashtra and Karnataka. In Rajasthan it is found in Jhunjhunu, Pali, Udaipur, Alwar (Sariska Tiger Reserve), Jaipur (Ramgarh, Jhalana area), Bhilwara and Rajsamand. It having a valuable active principle found in its oleo-gum-resin (guggulsterone E and Z), which are used in drugs preparation for lowering the cholesterol level in human body. Due to it’s overexploitation, poor natural regeneration, this valuable plant is on the verge of extinction and thus a IUCN Red listed species. In the present study we focus on the development of an efficient micropropagation protocol from different explants of guggul.