Elite chemo-types of a critically endangered medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth from Indian Western Himalaya

Abstract

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth belonging to family Scrophulariaceae is a high value perennial medicinal herb endemic to the alpine Himalayan region of India. The present study is focused towards the evaluation of Picrosides (Picroside-I and Picroside-Il) content in roots and rhizomes of P. kurroa populations collected from different parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which could be utilized by the Indian drug industries for the preparation of quality herbal drug. Maximum Picroside-I content was recorded in rhizomes in Kafnu (HP) populations (1.85 %), while in roots it was recorded maximum in Rampur (UK) populations (0.50%). It is also notable that the concentrations of both Picroside I & Picroside II were found maximum in rhizomes as compared to roots. P- II content in rhizomes was maximum in the Sainj (HP) populations (3.54%), while in roots it was found maximum (3.38 %) in Sairopa (HP) populations.