Genetic variation of extremely threatened medicinal plant Nepalese Kutki (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora)

Pranay Bantawa; Akan Das; Partha Deb Ghosh; Tapan Kumar Mondal

Pranay Bantawa Biotechnology Lab., Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar 736 165
Akan Das Biotechnology Lab., Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar 736 165
Partha Deb Ghosh Biotechnology Lab., Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar 736 165
Tapan Kumar Mondal Biotechnology Lab., Faculty of Horticulture, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar 736 165

Keywords: .

Abstract

The Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora Pennell. (Scrophulariaceae), commonly known as Nepalease Kutki in English, is an extremely endangered, medicinally important, high altitude plant of the Eastern Himalayas of India [1]. The rhizomes which are the main propagule for multiplication, used in Indian, Bhutanese, Nepalese, Tibetan and Chinese traditional medicines to treat various ailments such as liver disorders, fever, asthma and jaundice [2]. However, the medicinal value of this plant is due to the presence of higher amount of picroside [3].