Vol. 7, Issue 6 (2018)

Author(s):
Shelly Kapoor

Abstract:
Inula racemosa (Hook.f), commonly referred to by the name Pushkarmula, is an important medicinal and ornamental plant of Asteraceae family and has numerous references in Ayurvedic scriptures. The plant is inhabited to the Western Himalayas and grows at an altitude ranging from 1300 to 4500 meters. The plant is a perennial, paraphyletic, stout herb with elliptical, large leaves and yellow flowers. Extracts made from different plant parts are used to treat a number of diseases in the form of oil, ointment, syrup, powder, tablet etc. either by consumption or application. Traditionally, its roots have antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Because of these properties it is used in the treatment of contagious fevers, heart diseases, indigestion and other diseases related to respiratory tract. Due to over exploitation and reckless collection of the species by pharmaceutical companies, it has become critically endangered in its own habitat. To conserve the germplasm of this therapeutically important species from extinction, in vitro propagation strategies are required. The major constraint in micropropagation strategies is the long waiting period ranging from six to eight months. To overcome this problem, propagation of numerous calli from leaves can be obtained in just 2-3 weeks. The secondary metabolites like Isoalantolactone and Alantolactone can be obtained from callus for further investigation. This review article discusses the importance of callus induction for mass multiplication and production of secondary metabolites. Mass multiplication of Inula racemosa not only helps in the conservation of this medicinally important plant by preventing the uprooting of plants to extract roots for obtaining alkaloids but also in the synthesis of secondary metabolites in dried calli. Besides, the review also throws light on the therapeutic value of Inula racemosa.