The use of cutting-edge biotechnological methods such as in vitro
propagation enables the large-scale production of disease-free plant material, rapid
cloning, and conservation of the elite genotype within a very short period. Additionally,
the technique has enormous potential for the production of pharmacologically
significant secondary metabolites and plant-based medicines of high quality.
Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso is an important medicinal plant of the family
Convolvulaceae and is used to treat several health ailments. Overexploitation and
inadequate conservation strategies have put the plant on the verge of extinction. This
chapter provides a concise overview of the current status of the endangered medicinal
plant Operculina turpethum with special attention given to the in vitro propagation and
conservation of the immense medicinal plant.
Keywords: Apical bud, benzyl amino purine, endangered, in vitro propagation, kinetin, medicinal plant, micropropagation, nodal explant, Operculina, rooting, somatic embryogenesis, Trivrit, turpethein.
