Noyhin
Micropropagation of Labisia Pumila using apical meristem
INTRODUCTION
Labisia pumila belongs to the family Myrsinaceae and the common name (in Malaysia) is Kacip Fatimah. There are three main varieties of Labisia pumila found in Malaysia var. pumila, var. alata and var. lanceolata. Labisia pumila var alata has long being recognized by Malay women for its medicinal value. It is used to induce and facilitate childbirth as well as a post partum medication to help contract the birth channel, to tone the abdominal muscles and to regain body strength (Wan Ezumi et al., 2007).
Other traditional uses include treatment for dysentery, rheumatism and gonorrhea. L. pumila products are widely available commercially as health supplements. In spite of the wide usage of this plant as a traditional herb no information on its chemical constituents has been documented. However, it was reported that plants from the same genus (Myrsinaceae) are being used to treat respiratory tract infections and menstrual disorders (Huang et al., 2000). This plant is mostly obtained from the natural tropical forest. Its availability in the forest is becoming scarce due to the increase in demand by the users (Satefarzi 2000). In addition, its growth rate in the natural habitat is very slow (Mohd Noh et al. 2002). Logging activities and encroachment of the forests have also contributed to the problem. It is anticipated that this plant species will face extinction and severe genetic loss if necessary steps are not taken to replant it. To avoid further depletion of this species, there is a need to domesticate and cultivate it
Therefore, suitable technique for mass propagation has to be developed. Plant tissue culture technology may help to conserve rare and endangered medicinal plants. Many important Chinese medicinal herbs have been successfully propagated in vitro, either by organogenesis (Erdei et al. 1981, Shoyama et al. 1983, Hatano et al. 1986, Matsumoto et al. 1986, Hiraoka and Oyanagi
INTRODUCTION
Labisia pumila belongs to the family Myrsinaceae and the common name (in Malaysia) is Kacip Fatimah. There are three main varieties of Labisia pumila found in Malaysia var. pumila, var. alata and var. lanceolata. Labisia pumila var alata has long being recognized by Malay women for its medicinal value. It is used to induce and facilitate childbirth as well as a post partum medication to help contract the birth channel, to tone the abdominal muscles and to regain body strength (Wan Ezumi et al., 2007).
Other traditional uses include treatment for dysentery, rheumatism and gonorrhea. L. pumila products are widely available commercially as health supplements. In spite of the wide usage of this plant as a traditional herb no information on its chemical constituents has been documented. However, it was reported that plants from the same genus (Myrsinaceae) are being used to treat respiratory tract infections and menstrual disorders (Huang et al., 2000). This plant is mostly obtained from the natural tropical forest. Its availability in the forest is becoming scarce due to the increase in demand by the users (Satefarzi 2000). In addition, its growth rate in the natural habitat is very slow (Mohd Noh et al. 2002). Logging activities and encroachment of the forests have also contributed to the problem. It is anticipated that this plant species will face extinction and severe genetic loss if necessary steps are not taken to replant it. To avoid further depletion of this species, there is a need to domesticate and cultivate it
Therefore, suitable technique for mass propagation has to be developed. Plant tissue culture technology may help to conserve rare and endangered medicinal plants. Many important Chinese medicinal herbs have been successfully propagated in vitro, either by organogenesis (Erdei et al. 1981, Shoyama et al. 1983, Hatano et al. 1986, Matsumoto et al. 1986, Hiraoka and Oyanagi
References: Burkill, I. H. (1966). A Dictionary of economic products of the Malay Peninsula. Vol. 2, Ministry of Agriculture and Co- operatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2444 pp. Jayabalan. N. (2006), Plant Biotechnology, A.P.H. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, India. Trivedi. P. C, (2004), Herbal Drugs and Biotechnology, Pointer Publishers, Jaipur, India. Nagata. T. & Ebizuka. Y. (2002), Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry 51, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants xii, Springer, Heidelberg, Germany. Wan Ezumi MF, Siti Amrah S, Suhaimi AWM, Mohsin SSJ (2007). Evaluation of the female reproductive toxicity of aqueous extract of Labisia pumila var. alata in rats. Indian J. Pharmacol. 39 (1): 30-32. Huang J, Ogihara Y, Zhang H, Shimizu N, Takeda T (2000). Triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia mamillata. Phytochemistry 54: 817-822 2. Root induction generated (September 2011)