Micropropagation studies in Bergenia ligulata: A potential plant remedy to kidney stones

Rhizomes of Bergenia are frequently used as antiurolithiatic agents in hilly regions of India, leading to this plant becoming threatened. Furthermore, Bergenia also serves as a diuretic, antitussive, and antipyretic, and is used as a treatment for diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, cough, pulmonary infections, menorrhagia, excessive uterine haemorrhage, and stomach ulcers. Using leaf/petiole explants from Bergenia ligulata, one-step regeneration was demonstrated. MS media supplemented with 0.2 and 0.4 mg L -1 BAP with 0.1 mg L -1 NAA resulted in the highest number of shoots on either explant (leaf/petiole). However, multiple shoots were produced on MS media fortified with 2 mg L -1 BAP and 0.5 mg L -1 Kn. An efficient and rapid regeneration protocol for this plant is presented in this study.