In vitro conservation protocols for some commercially important medicinal plants

Abstract

Interest and support for the conservation and development of medicinal plants is increasing in all parts of the world. This is due, in part, to a growing recognition given to the role of medicinal plants in the provision of culturally relevant and affordable health care in creating sustainable livelihoods and in the vital conservation of biodiversity. This has also drawn the attention of the world community towards the need for creating mechanisms to ensure sustained development of the sector and to allow sharing of information between countries, organizations and agencies. The value of medicinal plants to human livelihoods is essentially infinite. The special significance of medicinal plants in conservation stems from the major cultural, livelihood or economic roles that they play in many people's lives. Many of the threats to medicinal plant species are similar to those causing endangerment to plant diversity generally. The most serious proximate threats generally are habitat loss, habitat degradation and over-harvesting. In order to protect such endangered species from possible extinction, the exploitation of medicinal plants must be accompanied by conservation measures. Application of tissue culture of plant cells, tissues and organs is the most promising tool for medicinal plant conservation.