Multiple shoot cultures: A viable alternative in vitro system for the production of known and new biologically active plant constituents

A major part of modern chemotherapeutics and traditional drugs are derived from higher plants [1]. While a few medicinal plant species are cultivated, a large number of them are procured from the naturally growing flora which has resulted in a gradual depletion of the resources. These considerations warrant methods for systematic cultivation and preservation of valuable genotypes. Alternatively methods for in vitro production of known drugs and new biologically active principles would be of particular value.