Comparing the phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties of naturally grown and in vitro grown Lunularia cruciata

Indian researchers compared the pharmacological properties and phytochemical composition of naturally grown and in vitro grown Lunularia cruciata (crescent-cup liverwort). Their findings were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Investigations on the beneficial properties and components of bryophytes have long been neglected because of the difficulty of collecting ample amounts of samples, the plants’ seasonal availability and their restricted geographic distribution.
• To determine if axenically grown L. cruciata can be used as a substitute, the researchers grew the plant under in vitro conditions.
• They took note of optimal culture conditions, media and the effect of hormones on the plant’s growth.
• The researchers used gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyze the plant’s phytochemical composition.
• They also evaluated its pharmacological activity by testing the plant for antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties.
• The researchers reported that L. cruciata grew in vitro with the help of half-strength MS media and the combination of benzylaminopurine and 1-naphtheleneacetic acid.
• They found nine key compounds in both axenically and naturally grown L. cruciata.
• They also found that the axenically grown plant has more or less similar antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties as the naturally grown plant.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that in vitro grown L. cruciata can be used in place of naturally grown plants for research and clinical applications, especially as a natural anti-diabetic agent.

Read the full study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Mukhia S, Mandal P, Singh DK, Singh D. COMPARISON OF PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF IN VITRO PROPAGATED AND NATURALLY OCCURRING LIVERWORT LUNULARIA CRUCIATA. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 23 July 2019;19(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2534-4