Somatic Embryogenesis in Nothapodytes foetida: A Potent Antineoplastic Plant

An attempt was made to devise a protocol for somatic embryogenesis in Nothapodytes foetida (Wight) Sleumer, a potent anticancer threatened medicinal tree. Somatic embryogenesis was established from callus cultures derived from isolated embryos cultured in vitro. Direct embryogenesis was also recorded from cotyledons of the cultured embryos. Embryogenic masses were extracted and analyzed for the presence of Camptothecin and 9-methoxy camptothecin, which are efficient and proven anticancer agents. These embryos matured and germinated into plantlets upon transfer to Murashige and Skoog�s (MS) basal medium with a conversion rate of about 80 %.