Current Status of Micropropagation of Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso – An Endangered Medicinal Plant

Abstract

The use of cutting-edge biotechnological methods such as in vitro propagation enables the large-scale production of disease-free plant material, rapid cloning, and conservation of the elite genotype within a very short period. Additionally, the technique has enormous potential for the production of pharmacologically significant secondary metabolites and plant-based medicines of high quality. Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso is an important medicinal plant of the family Convolvulaceae and is used to treat several health ailments. Overexploitation and inadequate conservation strategies have put the plant on the verge of extinction. This chapter provides a concise overview of the current status of the endangered medicinal plant Operculina turpethum with special attention given to the in vitro propagation and conservation of the immense medicinal plant.