Abstract

The use of Gymnema sylvestris as an alternative remedy for diabetes was well known from ancient times in India and the plant is valuable for its pharmaceutical properties. The present study describes callus induction of the plant G. sylvestrisusing internodal explants and the influence of different plant hormones like 2,4-D, kinetin, IAA, BAP on the growth of calli. Internodes were proved to be the best explant for culture, which were grown on MS basal medium (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) with different concentration of various growth regulators. The standard plant tissue culture protocol for callus culture and/or micropropagation was adopted. The highest efficiency of callus formation was observed in the medium containing different concentration of 2,4-D and kinetin.

Key words: Gymnema sylvestris, tissue culture, micropropagation, plant growth regulators, callus.