EJBS 3 (1) ● April-June 2010: 30-42 Vishwanathan & Basavaraju ● A review on Vitex negundo L.

A Review on Vitex negundo L. – A Medicinally Important Plant

A. S. Vishwanathan* and R. Basavaraju2
Department of Biosciences, Sri Sathya Sai University,
Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh – 515 134 (India)
*Corresponding author: A. S. Vishwanathan
Tel: +91 8555 287235; Fax: +91 8555 86919
E-mail address: [email protected]
2
E-mail address: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae) is a hardy plant, flourishing mainly in the Indian subcontinent. All parts of the
plant, from root to fruit, possess a multitude of phytochemical secondary metabolites which impart an unprecedented
variety of medicinal uses to the plant. It is interesting to note that a single plant species finds use for treatment of a
wide spectrum of health disorders in traditional and folk medicine; some of which have been experimentally
validated. The plant is a component of a number of commercially available herbal formulations and has also shown
potential as an effective bio-control agent. Employment of techniques such as cell and tissue culture would provide
means of rapid propagation and conservation of the plant species and, from the point of view of phytochemistry,
give scope for enhancement of the quality and quantity of the bioactive secondary metabolites occurring in the plant.
Key words: phytochemical; pharmacological; bio-control; herbal formulations; in vitro culture
Abbreviations:
BA: 6-Benzyl Amino Purine
CH: Casein Hydrolysate
GA3: Gibberellic Acid
IAA: Indole-3-Acetic Acid
IBA: Indole-3-Butyric Acid
Kn: Kinetin
MS: Murashige and Skoog
NAA: α-Naphthoxy Acetic Acid
Vn: Vitex negundo

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Medicinal Plants
Morgenstern [1] defines ethnobotany as the study of the indigenous uses of plants and the relationship between
people and plants. Folk medicines of almost all civilizations of the world abound in herbal remedies. Majority of the
traditional medicines used in healthcare are obtained from plants [2]. In spite of several advancements in the field of
synthetic drug chemistry and antibiotics, plants continue to be one of the major raw materials for drugs treating
various ailments of humans. Clinical and pharmaceutical investigations have in fact elevated the status of medicinal
plants by identifying the role of active principles present in them and elaborating on their mode of action in human
and animal systems [3].
The world is gradually turning to herbal formulations which are known to be effective against a large repertoire of
diseases and ailments. More importantly, they are not known to cause any notable derogatory effects [4]; and are
readily availabile at affordable prices [5]. Prajapati et al. [6], however, add a note of caution stating that plant
remedies are effective and without side-effects, provided they are selected properly and taken under proper medical
supervision. The active component, most often a secondary metabolite, varies in quality and quantity for a given
plant species growing in different locations. The market value of such plants depends on their active content rather
than merely their luxuriant growth. Purohit and Vyas [7] reckon that close to 70,000 species of the plant kingdom
have been used as herbal medicine at one time or other.

1.2. Vitex negundo Linn.

Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) is a woody, aromatic shrub growing to a small tree. It commonly bears tri- or
penta-foliate leaves on quadrangular branches, which give rise to bluish-purple coloured flowers in branched
tomentose cymes. It thrives in humid places or along water courses in wastelands and mixed open forests and has
been reported to occur in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, eastern Africa and

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EJBS 3 (1) ● April-June 2010: 30-42 Vishwanathan & Basavaraju ● A review on Vitex negundo L.

Madagascar. It is grown commercially as a crop in parts of Asia, Europe, North America and the West Indies [8].
Though V. negundo (will henceforth be referred to as Vn for sake of convenience) also finds use as a food crop
(Facciola, 1990) and a source of timber [9], this review deals only with the medicinal importance and other related
attributes of the plant.

2. Phytochemical Constituents
Higher plants are warehouses of assorted bioactive constituents or phytochemicals which find ample use in the
pharmaceutical industry. Namdeo [10] states that about a quarter of all prescribed pharmaceuticals in advanced
countries contain compounds that are directly or indirectly, derived from plants. Phytochemicals or secondary
metabolites usually occur in complex mixtures that differ among plant organs and stages of development [11, 12].
Knowledge of the phytochemical constituents is very essential to enable investigation of the actual effectiveness of
the plant in medicine. Table 1 gives the details of the different phytochemical constituents that have been reported
from different parts of Vn.
Table 1 – Phytochemical constituents of different plant parts of V. negundo

PLANT PART PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS REFERENCE

Leaves hydroxy-3,6,7,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone [12]

6′-p-hydroxybenzoyl mussaenosidic acid; 2′-p-hydroxybenzoyl mussaenosidic acid [13, 14]
5, 3′-dihydroxy-7,8,4′-trimethoxyflavanone; 5,3′-dihydroxy-6,7,4′- [15]
trimethoxyflavanone
viridiflorol; β-caryophyllene; sabinene; 4-terpineol; gamma-terpinene; [16]
caryophyllene oxide; 1-oceten-3-ol; globulol
betulinic acid [3β-hydroxylup-20-(29)-en-28-oic acid]; ursolic acid [2β -hydroxyurs- [17]
12-en-28-oic acid]; n-hentriacontanol; β-sitosterol; p-hydroxybenzoic acid
protocatechuic acid; oleanolic acid; flavonoids [18]
angusid; casticin; vitamin-C; nishindine; gluco-nonitol; p-hydroxybenzoic acid; [19]
sitosterol
Seeds 3β -acetoxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid; 2α, 3α-dihydroxyoleana-5,12-dien-28-oic acid; [20, 21]
2β,3α diacetoxyoleana-5,12-dien-28-oic acid; 2α, 3β-diacetoxy-18-hydroxyoleana-
5,12-dien-28-oic acid
vitedoin-A; vitedoin-B; a phenylnaphthalene-type lignan alkaloid, vitedoamine-A; [22]
five other lignan derivatives
6-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3- methoxy-phenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-3, 4- [23]
dihydro-2-naphthaldehyde
β-sitosterol; p-hydroxybenzoic acid; 5-oxyisophthalic acid; n-tritriacontane, n- [19]
hentriacontane; n-pentatriacontane; n-nonacosane
Roots 2β, 3α-diacetoxyoleana-5,12-dien-28-oic acid; 2α,3α-dihydroxyoleana-5,12-dien-28- [24]
oic acid; 2α,3β -diacetoxy-18-hydroxyoleana-5,12-dien-28-oic acid; vitexin and
isovitexin
negundin-A; negundin-B; (+)-diasyringaresinol; (+)-lyoniresinol; vitrofolal-E and [25]
vitrofolal-F
acetyl oleanolic acid; sitosterol; 3-formyl-4.5-dimethyl-8- oxo-5H-6,7- [26]
dihydronaphtho (2,3-b)furan
Essential oil of δ-guaiene; guaia-3,7-dienecaryophyllene epoxide; ethyl-hexadecenoate; α-selinene; [27]
fresh leaves, germacren-4-ol; caryophyllene epoxide; (E)-nerolidol; β-selinene; α-cedrene;
flowers and dried germacrene D; hexadecanoic acid; p-cymene and valencene.
fruits

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EJBS 3 (1) ● April-June 2010: 30-42 Vishwanathan & Basavaraju ● A review on Vitex negundo L.

2.1. Summary
Extensive biochemical analyses have resulted in the detection and isolation of a wide variety of the phytochemical
constituents from different parts of the plant. Application of advanced spectroscopy tools such as NMR, EMR, FTIR
along with X- ray crystallography studies would bring to light more such biologically active phytochemicals in
different parts of the plant. Use of in silico tools to evaluate the efficacy of these phytochemical moieties as drugs
would endow an added value to such a study.

3. Medicinal Importance
Herbal medicine, rather than merely curing a particular disease, aims at returning the body back to its natural state of
health [28]. The phytochemical components of medicinal plants often act individually, additively or synergistically
in improvement of health [29]. After having analyzed the various chemical components present in different parts of
Vn, it is imperative that focus shifts to the medicinal applications of the plant. Myriad medicinal properties have
been ascribed to Vn and the plant has also been extensively used in treatment of a plethora of ailments [6]. These
properties have been categorized under three heads – traditional medicine, folk medicine and pharmacological
evidence.

3.1. Traditional medicine

Traditional medicine mainly comprises of Indian Ayurveda, Arabic Unani medicine and traditional Chinese
medicine. In Asia and Latin America, populations continue to use traditional medicine as a result of historical
circumstances and cultural beliefs. Traditional medicine accounts for around 40% of all health care delivered in
China. Up to 80% of the population in Africa uses traditional medicine to help meet their health care needs [30].

3.1.1. Ayurveda
The plant finds mention in the verses of the Charaka Samhita which is unarguably the most ancient and
authoritative textbook of Indian Ayurveda. Vn has been designated as an anthelminthic (verse Su:4-15) and is
prescribed as a vermifuge (verse Vi:7-21) in the exposition on the Charaka Samhita by Sharma [31].

Other Ayurvedic uses of Vn are described by Tirtha [32]. People sleep on pillows stuffed with Vn leaves to dispel
catarrh and headache and smoke the leaves for relief. Crushed leaf poultice is applied to cure headaches, neck gland
sores, tubercular neck swellings and sinusitis. Essential oil of the leaves is also effective in treatment of venereal
diseases and other syphilitic skin disorders. A leaf decoction with Piper nigrum is used in catarrhal fever with
heaviness of head and dull hearing. A tincture of the root-bark provides relief from irritability of bladder and
rheumatism.

Jadhav and Bhutani [33] report the Ayurvedic use of Vn in dysmenorrhea. Patkar [34] refers to the formulations
described in Anubhoga Vaidya Bhaga, a compendium of formulations in cosmetology, in outlining the use of Vn
leaves along with those of Azadirachta indica, Eclipta alba, Sphaeranthus indicus and Carum copticum in a notable
rejuvenation treatment known as Kayakalpa.

3.1.2. Unani medicine

Khare [19] outlines the applications of Vn, commonly known as Nisinda in Unani medicine. The seeds are
administered internally with sugarcane vinegar for removal of swellings. Powdered seeds are used in spermatorrhoea
and serve as an aphrodisiac when dispensed along with dry Zingiber officinale and milk.

3.1.3. Chinese medicine

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia prescribes the fruit of Vn in the treatment of reddened, painful, and puffy eyes;
headache and arthritic joints [35].

3.2. Folk medicine

Folklore systems of medicine continue to serve a large segment of population, especially those in rural and tribal
areas, regardless of the advent of modern medicine [36]. The entries regarding the multifarious applications of Vn in
folk medicine have been grouped regionally to emphasize the ethnobotanical diversity and ubiquity of the plant; and
the details have been laid out in Table 2 and 3.

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Table 2 – Uses of V. negundo in folk medicine in India

S. LOCAL
NO.
STATE REGION USED IN TREATMENT OF REFERENCES
NAME
Asthma, Cancer [37]
1 Andhra Pradesh Puttaparthi Tella Vaavili Used as bath for women in puerperal state and for
Unpublished
new born children
Jaundice [38]
2 Assam Pochatia Urticaria, Cellulitis, Abcesses, Carbuncles, Eczema [39]
Liver disorders [40]
Garwahl Sambhaalu Kwashiorkor [4]
3 Himachal Pradesh
Parvati valley Bana Wounds, Body ache [41]
Dharwad Lakki, Karilakki Toothache [42]
4 Karnataka Mysore Bilenekki Febrile, catarrhal and rheumatic afflictions [4]
Uttara Kanada Nekki Migraine [43]
Konkan Lingur Rheumatism [4]
Amravati Samhalu Encephalitis [44]
5 Maharashtra
Chota Nagpur Nirgundi Expectorant [4]
Satpuda - Joint pain [36]
6 Orissa Malkangiri Languni Jaundice [45]
Southern parts Notchi Used as antidote for snake bite [46]
Tamil Nadu Madurai - [47]
7 Kancheepuram - [48]
Respiratory disorders, Fever, Headache
Salem and
- [49]
Tirucchirappalli
Jaunsar-Bawar
Somi Eye pain [50]
hills
8 Uttar Pradesh
Moradabad Mala Used as refrigerant for cattle [51]
Uttaranchal - 48 types of ailments [2]

S.
COUNTRY REGION LOCAL NAME USED IN TREATMENT OF REFERENCES
NO.
Weakness, Headache, Vomiting, Malaria,
1 Bangladesh Chittagong - [52]
Black fever
2 China Guangdong Buging′iab Common cold, Flu and Cough [53]
3 Nepal Kali Gandaki Simali Sinusitis, Whooping cough [54]
Chest-pain, Backache
Buner Marvandaey [55]
Used as toothbrush
Kot Manzaray
4 Pakistan - Used as anti-allergenic agent [56]
Baba valley
Margallah hills Nirgud Gum and skin diseases [9]
Siran valley Kalgari Used as medicine for buffaloes in colic [57]
5 Philippines - Cancer [58]
Eye disease, Toothache, Rheumatism
6 Sri Lanka Nilnikka Used as a tonic, carminative and [4]
vermifuge
Table 3 – Uses of V. negundo in folk medicine outside India

3.3. Pharmacological evidence

Demands of the scientific community have necessitated experimental evidence to further underline the
medicinal importance of Vn described above. Taking cue from these traditional and folk systems of medicine,
scientific studies have been designed and conducted in order to pharmacologically validate these claims.

3.3.1. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity

Yunos et al. [59] and Jana et al. [60] established anti-inflammatory properties of Vn extracts in acute and sub-
acute inflammation. Anti-inflammatory and pain suppressing activities of fresh leaves of Vn are attributed to
prostaglandin synthesis inhibition [61], antihistamine, membrane stabilising and antioxidant activities [62].

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3.3.2. Effect on oxidative stress

Leaf extracts of Vn were determined to possess anti-oxidant potential by [63]. The extracts were useful in
decreasing levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in Freund’s adjuvant induced
arthritic-rats [64]. The extracts also possess the ability to combat oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation
owing to the presence of flavones, vitamin C and carotene [65]. Rooban et al. [66] evaluated the antioxidant and
therapeutic potential of Vn flavonoids in modulating solenoid-induced cataract and found it to be effective.

3.3.3. Enzyme-inhibitory activity

Root extracts of Vn showed inhibitory activity against enzymes such as lipoxygenase and butyryl-cholinesterase
[25]; α-chymotrypsin [67]; xanthine-oxidase [68] and tyrosinase [69]. Woradulayapinij et al. [70] reported the
HIV type 1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity of the water extract of the aerial parts of Vn.

3.3.4. Effect on reproductive potential

The flavonoid rich fraction of seeds of Vn caused disruption of the latter stages of spermatogenesis in dogs [71]
and interfered with male reproductive function in rats [72]. It must however be noted that these findings are in
sharp contrast with the traditional use of Vn as aphrodisiac [19]. Hu et al. [73] determined that ethanolic extracts
of Vn showed estrogen-like activity and propounded its use in hormone replacement therapy.

3.3.5. Histomorphological and cytotoxic effects

Tandon and Gupta [74] studied the histomorphological effect of Vn extracts in rats and found the stomach tissue
to be unaffected even by toxic doses; while dose-dependent changes were observed in the heart, liver and lung
tissues. Cytotoxic effect of leaf extracts of Vn was tested and affirmed using COLO-320 tumour cells [75]. On
one hand, Diaz et al. [76] found the chloroform extracts of Vn leaves to be toxic to a human cancer cell line
panel while on the other; Yunos et al. [59] reported that Vn extracts were non-cytotoxic on mammary and
genito-urinary cells of mice.

3.3.6. Drug potentiating ability

Administration of Vn extracts potentiated the effect of commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs such as
ibuprofen and phenylbutazone [77]; analgesics such as meperidine, aspirin [78], morphine and pethidine;
sedative-hypnotic drugs like pentobarbitone, diazepam [79] and chlorpromazine [80]; anti-convulsive agents
such diphenylhydantoin and valporic acid [81].

3.3.7. Other attributes

In addition to the above mentioned activities Vn extracts have also been tested for a range of other systemic
effects. Leaf extracts of Vn were found to possess hepato-protective activity against liver damage induced by d-
galactosamine [82], commonly used tubercular drugs [83] and carbon tetrachloride [84, 85]. Villasenor and
Lamadrid [86] have provided an account of the anti-hyperglycemic activity of Vn leaf extracts. Laxative
activity of Vn leaf extracts was exhibited in rats by Adnaik et al. [87]. Methanolic root extracts of Vn showed
antagonization of the lethal activity induced by venom of Vipera russellii and Naja kaouthia [88].
Immunomodulatory effect of Vn extracts has been reported by Ravishankar and Shukla [89].

3.4. Summary
Traditional medicine systems have also been developed throughout history by Asian, African, Arabic, Native
American, Oceanic, Central and South American and other cultures. A comprehensive exploration in this regard
could bring forth other medicinal applications of Vn hitherto unknown.

Ethnobotanical studies open many doors to knowledge that has rarely been cataloged. Such surveys have been
conducted and reported from different regions of the Indian subcontinent. The listing of Vn in each of them has
a novel account in terms of its medicinal use. Similar expeditions in other parts of India and countries where the
plant is known to occur would bring to light the unknown aspects regarding this plant and other such plants that
continue to remain obscure to the scientific community of the world at large. The lessons learnt from the
traditional wisdom of the older generations combined with the modern scientific approach can provide the key
to many of the unresolved issues of present-day medicine and open new vistas for the biotechnology industry.

Various other medicinal properties of Vn listed in the above sub-sections need to be established by systematic
experimental studies before they can actually find their way to the market in the form of herbal-based
medication for common ailments and afflictions. Such applications of Vn, on entering the pipeline of
pharmacological research, could be taken up by the industry for Research and Development of drugs.

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4. Commercial products
The pharmacological potential of Vn has been exploited effectively in formulating commercial products for
treatment of health disorders. Table 4 provides details of such products available in the market which have
supporting evidence in the form of scientific publications. Table 5 lists selected herbal products which contain
Vn extracts, but do not have a backing in the form of readily available research literature.

MANUFACTURER NAME OF PRODUCT USED IN

Himalaya Drug Co., Antiseptic Cream Wounds, Burns, Fungal skin infections
Bangalore, India Dental Cream Tooth ache, Bleeding gums
Himcolin Gel Erectile dysfunction
Surya Herbal Ltd., Noida, Relieef Cream Joint and Muscle pain, Stiff back
India Rheumanaad Tablet and Rheumatic Pain, Sprain
Cream
Ostranil Gel Osteoarthritis, Lumbago
Ambica Research & Amgesic Arthritis Tablets Arthritis
Development Pvt. Ltd, New
Delhi, India
IndSwift Ltd., Chandigarh, Arthrill Capsules and Arthritis, Joint pain, Frozen shoulder, Gout,
India Massage oil Cervical spondylitis
Table 4 - Commercial herbal formulations containing V. negundo

Table 5 - Commercial herbal formulations containing V. negundo

MANUFACTURER NAME OF USED IN REFERENCE

PRODUCT
Himalaya Drug Co., Acne-n-Pimple Acne and skin [90]
Bangalore Cream eruptions
JointCare B cream Rheumatic disorders [91]
Muscle and Joint Muscle strains, [92]
Rub musculoskeletal
disorders
Pilex tablet and Haemorrhoids [93, 94]
cream (Piles)
Rumalaya gel and Inflammatory [95-97]
tablets musculoskeletal
disorders
V-Gel Vaginitis, Cervicitis [98]

Hamdard Laboratories, Jigrine Liver ailments [99, 100]

New Delhi, India
Dey’s Medical, Kolkata, Itone Eye Drops Eye ailments [101]
India

5. Biological activity

Plants are known to produce a variety of compounds which have evolved as defence compounds against
microbes and herbivores [11]. The elaboration on the biochemically active ingredients and the medicinal
properties of Vn elicits queries on the effect of the plant extracts on other biological organisms. Vn has shown
promise as an effective bio-control agent. The extracts of Vn possess inhibitory, deterrent or lethal activity on
biological agents that cause disease and damage to other organisms. Table 6 summarizes the effect of Vn on
different pathogens and pests.

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EJBS 3 (1) ● April-June 2010: 30-42 Vishwanathan & Basavaraju ● A review on Vitex negundo L.

Table 6 – Activity of V. negundo extracts on biological pathogens and pests

ACTIVITY ACTION AGAINST REFERENCE

Anti-bacterial Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Proteus [102]
vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aerogenes (Bacteria)
Anti-feedant Spodoptera litura (Asian army-worm) Achoea [17, 103]
janata (Castor semi-looper)
Anti-filarial Brugia malayi (Microfilarial parasite) [104, 105]
Anti-fungal Alternaria alternata, Curvularia lunata [106-108]
Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Cryptococcus
neoformans
Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans
Anti-larval Cnaphalocrocis medinalis [109]
(Rice leaf-folder)
Anti-viral Plasmodium falciparum (Virus) [110]
Insecticidal Callosobruchus maculatus (Pulse beetle) [111, 112]

Phthorimaea operculella [113]

(Potato-tuber moth)

Sitotroga cerealella [114]

(Angoumois grain moth)

Aphis citricola (Spirea aphid), Aphis gossypii [115]

(Melon or Cotton aphid), Myzus persicae (Green
peach aphid)
Larvicidal Anopheles subpictus, [116]
Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Mosquitoes)

Culex quinquefasciatus (Mosquito) [117-121]

Anopheles stephensi (Mosquitoes) [121]

Plutella xylostella (Diamond-back moth) [122]

Mosquito repellant Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Mosquito) [123]

Mosquito repellant Aedes aegypti (Mosquito) [124]

6. In vitro culture
In vitro culture techniques offer viable means of mass multiplication and germplasm conservation of a multitude
of plant species [125] and enhancement of the production of secondary metabolites. Due to poor viability of
seeds of Vn [126] and slow rate of conventional propagation [127], tissue culture technology has assumed
importance as an alternative method for rapid conservation and propagation of this economically important plant
species. Additionally, production of plant secondary metabolites de novo, by in vitro cell culture methods, has
assumed importance in the last two decades because the structural complexity of naturally occurring metabolites
forms the basis for the chemical synthesis of novel and more potent analogues.

Nodal explants of Vn were found to be most effective for in vitro studies using Murashige and Skoog (MS)
medium [128]. In vitro studies conducted to date have been preliminary; involving investigations on the
response of explants to different phytohormones and growth supplements on MS medium.

6.1. Shoot initiation and proliferation

6-Benzyl Amino Purine (BA) in combination with α-Naphthoxy Acetic Acid (NAA) was found to be the most
efficient in initiation of shoot primordial and formation of multiple shoots. Biotin and Casein Hydrolysate (CH)

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EJBS 3 (1) ● April-June 2010: 30-42 Vishwanathan & Basavaraju ● A review on Vitex negundo L.

[126]; sodium sulphate [129]; Gibberellic Acid (GA3) [127]; Thidiaruzon [130, 131] and coconut water [131]
gave positive results as growth supplements for shoot proliferation and multiple shoot formation. Sharief and
Jagadishchandra [126] obtained shoots from stem callus using Kn and NAA in combination. Chandramu et al.
[129] observed in vitro flowering with a combination treatment of BA and NAA. Handique [132] reported the
use of Woody Plant medium but however found better response of explants in MS medium.

6.2. Root formation and elongation

Root formation and elongation was commonly observed with MS medium fortified with Indole-3-Butyric Acid
(IBA) [129, 130, 132], NAA (Afroz et al., 2008), combination of NAA and Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) [126,
131], combination of IAA and IBA [127, 133]. Usha et al. [133] made use of activated charcoal for rooting of in
vitro plantlets. In contrast to other reports using half strength MS medium to induce rooting, Vadawale et al.
[134] used full strength MS medium with IBA.

6.3. Summary
The prospects of rapid multiplication and propagation coupled with enhanced secondary metabolite production
bring out with greater emphasis the need for establishment of standardized protocols for in vitro culture of
medicinal plants, in this case Vn. Moreover, in vitro technology can potentially overcome common problems
such as crop failure due to erratic weather conditions or mineral deficiencies in the soil. It is much simpler to
manipulate and monitor the conditions essential for plant growth and development under laboratory conditions.
Micropropagation also the advantage of rapid clonal multiplication of desired genotypes. Current approaches to
in vitro propagation have shown encouraging results only utilizing MS medium as the substrate. Other nutrient
media which have been shown to be useful for tissue culture of similar woody type of plants need to be tested,
as also the role of other plant growth regulators and supplements.

Although India ranks among the top nations of the world medicinal plant exports, its export of phytochemical
derivatives is insignificant in relation to developed countries of the world [135]. It is well-established that plants
growing under stress conditions evolve to synthesize variants of commonly produced secondary metabolites.
Cell culture provides means of bioconversion of low value compounds into high value products and
enhancement of rate of production of these compounds. Application of established protocols using
Agrobacterium rhizogenes (for hairy root cultures) and optimal elicitors needs to be investigated for
enhancement of the yield of secondary metabolites in Vn. Additionally, in vitro methods can also be exploited to
standardize the secondary metabolite content in a given amount of plant material which in turn would provided
an added advantage in industrial applications of the plant.

7. CONCLUSION
Uniyal et al. [136] reiterates a popular local quote of the Bhangalis in the Western Himalayan region of India
which translates as –―A man cannot die of disease in an area where Vitex negundo, Adhatoda vasica and Acorus
calamus are found‖; (provided that he knows how to use them). The plant holds great promise as a commonly
available medicinal plant and it is indeed no surprise that the plant is referred to in the Indian traditional circles
as ‘sarvaroganivarini’ – the remedy for all diseases. Considerable amount of literature is available on various
aspects of the plant – traditional to biochemical and ethnobotanical to pharmacological; however there many
gaps which need to be filled by concurrent researchers in different disciplines. One must make the best use of
the naturally available resources which provide valuable raw material for advanced research. Nature has many
lessons to teach and the onus is on us to get attuned and grasp whatever is within our reach, before it is too late.

REFERENCES
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knowledge, existing practices and use value status in Uttaranchal, India', Biodiversity and Conservation. 13,
453-469.
[3] Dutta, S.C. (1973) Medicinal Plants, National Council for Education Research and Training, New Delhi,
1973.
[4] Kirtikar, K.R. and Basu, B.D. (1984) Indian Medicinal Plants, Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh,
Dehradun, 1984.
[5] Sharma, A., Shanker, C., Tyagi, L.K., Singh, M. and Rao, C.V. (2008) 'Herbal medicine for market potential
in India: An overview', Academic Journal of Plant Sciences. 1, 26-36.
[6] Prajapati, D.S., Purohit, S.S., Sharma, A.K. and Kumar, T. (2004) A Handbook of medicinal plants,
Agrobios India, Jodhpur, 2004.
[7] Purohit, S. and Vyas, S. (2004) 'Medicinal plant cultivation: A scientific approach', Agrobios, India. 624.

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EJBS 3 (1) ● April-June 2010: 30-42 Vishwanathan & Basavaraju ● A review on Vitex negundo L.

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