Plant regeneration and assessment of genetic fidelity using molecular markers of Mucuna gigantea Willd DC An endangered medicinal mangrove plant

Abstract

newlineAll life on earth depends on biodiversity to meet our fundamental needs such as food, fuel, shelter, clothes, medicine, etc. Medicinal plants have been used for herbal medicine since prehistoric times and by now herbal medicines are used by 80% population of the developing countries. Mucuna is a large and important genus of the family Fabaceae, composed of annual and perennial climbers and a few woody climbers, which are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions across the globe. Mucuna gigantea (Willd.) DC., popularly known as sea bean or burny bean vine, Whereas Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (L.) DC., popularly known as valvet bean vine, is mainly found in coastal and tropical of India respectively. These woody or semi-woody climbers were growing up to 10 m in height. Leaflets are trifoliolate, hairless and broadly elliptic in shape in both species. The flowers range in color from green-yellow and white-green with trichome pods. The main bioactive compounds L-DOPA is reported to be alkaloids, known for high anti-parkinson properties. The Mucuna species is a source of medicinally potent antiparkinsion, aphrodisiac, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory properties etc.