Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

C.tora, an annual herb growing in Asian countries, is edible in South East Asia by local folk fore. It is known medicinal plant as a laxative, antiperiodic, in leprosy, ringworm, bronchitis and cardiac disorders, ophthalmic, and skin disorders. There is an Ayurvedic formulation called ?chakramada tailamu?. C. tora constitutes an Ayurvedic preparation ?Dadhughnavati?, which is one of the successful antifungal formulations. Leaf extracts of the plant with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol were analyzed for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. As this herb is seasonal, in vitro regeneration was done using MS medium supplemented with NAA and BAP. C tora expressed good activity against all human pathogens used for study. The results showed very high inhibitory activity against skin pathogens like Staphylococcus and Candida albicans. C. tora has very strong antioxidant activity; this is reflected by the least IC50 value of 60 micrograms for C. tora methanol extract. As the wild population of this plant species has become vulnerable to extinction, measures are needed to conserve it using tissue culture and other techniques. In vitro propagation provides a source of these plants in all seasons and C.tora exhibited rapid production of shoots. This study reveals a fairly good correlation between traditional therapeutic use and in vitro antimicrobial activity. C. tora which exhibited strong antibacterial and antioxidant values thus can be regularly used in diet to fight oxidative stress.

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