Screening of traditionally used Dactylicapnos scandens (D.Don) Hutch. for the existence of secondary metabolites and development of propagation protocol

Abstract

Dactylicapnos scandens (D. Don) Hutch., Syn. Dicentra scandens (D. Don) Walp., is a perennial scandent herb that produces tuberous roots, the extract of which is used in traditional medicine to treat high blood pressure, asthma and to stop bleeding. The plant also has other medicinal uses. Although qualitative phytochemical analyses confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, and phenols, no flavonoids, saponins, and tannins were detected in tuber extracts. Seeds soaked in 100 ppm naphthalene acetic acid for 24 h recorded the highest rate of germination (50%), and those soaked in 200 ppm or 500 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3 ) were the earliest to germinate (22.5 days). The frequency of sprouting was maximum (90%) in intact tubers (planted whole) whereas 6 cm long pieces of the tubers were the first to sprout (15.2 days). All the plants produced from tubers (whether from whole tubers or their pieces) recorded 100% survival at three months following transplanting.