S. Afr. J. Bot. 1999. 65(5 & 6): 361 - 369 361 Micropropagation of members of the Hyacinthaceae with medicinal and ornamental potential- A review S.A. McCartan and J. van Staden* Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Botany and Zoology, Un1vers1ty of Natal P1etermaritzburg, Private Bag X01 , Scottsville, 3209 Republic of South Africa Recetved 5 May I')')!); revtsed I September 19!.19 The Hyac1nthaceae comprises many genera, which are characterized by bulbs, thick roots, basal leaves and simple or more rarely branched racemes. These genera are widely exploited for their medicinal, pharmaceutical and ornamental potential. In South Africa, these plants are harvested without permits from wild populations, processed and then sold as traditional medicine. This is having a negative impact on wild populations. Although the active ingredients of many of the bulbs have not been identified, several bufadienolides such as proscillaren A have been isolated from members of this family. These bufadienolides have pharmaceutical potential as cardiotonics. Thus, many members of the Hyacmthaceae, have potential as alternative horticultural/agricultural bulb and/or flower crops for medicinal, pharmaceutical and ornamental purposes. Conventional propagation of these plants, however, is usually fairly slow. M1cropropagalion provides a rapid means to propagate selected chemotypes or cultivars, servmg both conservation and commercial interests. Many members of Hyacinthaceae have been micropropagated This review summarizes th1s information, highlighting the potent1al and problems surrounding this family of flowering plants. Keywords: adventitious shoots, axillary shoots, bufadienolides, conservation, in vitro propagation, somatic embryos, tissue culture. Abbreviations: 2,4-D = 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; AC = activated charcoal; 85 = Gamborg medium: BA = benzyladenin e, BDS = modified 85 medium: CH = casein hydrosyla te: CM = coconut m1lk; IM = indole-3-acetiC ac1d: IBA = indole-3-butyric acid; iP = 6-[y,y-dimethylallylamino]purine: kinetin = N6-furfuryladenine; MS = Murashige & Skoog medium: NM = •x-napthyaleneacetic acid; PAC = paclobutrazol; TDZ = thidiazuron: YE = yeast extract; (3G]BA, [7G]BA, (9G]BA = 3,7,9 glucosides of benzyladenine. • To whom correspondence should be addressed. Introduction Wyk eta/ 1997). The Asparngales forms a large and fairly homogenous complex $'cilia natalensis is one of the top-ten most popular med icinal of fami lies. It is believed to be a monophyletic group, which plants in South Africa (Cunningham 1988; Williams 1996; Man­ evolved in parallel with the Liliales and Dioscoralcs. The Aspar­ der 1997). Despite its specially protected conse rvation status. agales consists of 31 families including several new families. approximately 95 tons of these bulbs are sold illegally in Durban These fami lies. which include the Alliaceae, Asparagaceae, annually. The price of these bulbs is relatively low ranging from Asphodelacene, Dracennaceae, Eriosperm aceae and Hya­ R 1.89 to R6.80 per kilogram. This is mainly due to the occur­ cinthaceae. comprise genera previously placed within the Lil­ rence of large populations of these bulbs locally. T he price of another popular medicinal plant, Bowiea volubilis is substan­ iaceae Wll.\'11 fato (Dahlgren et a/. 1985; Perry 1985). The Hyac inthaccae comprises several ge nera including Bo111iea. tially higher ranging from R 11.74 to R27.80 per kilogram (Mander 1997). The price of these bulbs has increased steadily F.u~·omis, Lachenalia, Ledebouria, Scilla and l/rginea. These with the decline in their availability and size (Cunningham genera arc charncterised by bul bs with thick and sometimes con­ 1988). tractile roots. basa l leaves and simple or more rarely branched Although the active ingredients of many of these bulbs have racemes. The inflorescences comprise actinomorphic, bisex ual not yet been identified. several bu fadienolides have been isolated tlowers, which range from white, blue, violet, and more rarel y from members of the Hyacinthaceae including Bml'iea I'Oiubilis yellow, red, brown to nearly black. T he Hyac inthaceae are (Jha 1988; Finnie et a/. 1994), Drimia rohu.1·ta (van Wyk eta/ widely distributed, occurring in southern Africa and in a region 1997; Luyt et a/. 1999}, Urginea a/tissima (Hutchings et a/. from tht: Mediterranean to SW As ia (Dahlgren et af. 1985; 1996), U. indica (Jha & Sen 198 1, 1983; Jha 1988) and (} mar­ Duncan & du Pless is 1989). itima (Shyr & Staba 1976; Verbiscar eta/. 1986; Gentry el a/ 1987; Jha 1988). Bufadienolides such as proscillaridin A are val­ Medicinal and pharmaceutical potential uable since they can be administered to digital in sensitive/intol­ In South A frica, approximately 20 000 tons of plant material, erant patients (Jha 1988). These bufadienolidcs. however. are worth about R270 million, is harvested, processed and so ld as usually not used as cardiotonics due to their low therapeutic indi­ traditional medicine annually (Gosling 1998 }. Approximately ces (Jager & van Staden 1995). However, some bufadienolides 14% of this plant material comprises bulbs (Mander 1997}, identified in certain organs of Bowiea l'oluhi/is are thirty to sixty which are destruct ive ly harvested, processed and so ld for th e times more active than those fi·om Digitalis (Hutchings et a/ treatment of various ai lments (Table I ). These bulbs, which are 1996). Prosc illaridin A, which is derived by enzyme hydrolys is sold whole, sliced or chopped, are usually administered as decoc­ from scillaren A , is produced under several trade names includ­ tions, emetics and enemas (Watt & Breyer-Brandwij k 1962; ing Caradin®, Cardion®, Prosc illan®, Sandosc ill®, Scillac­ Jacot Guillamod 1971; Hutchings 1989; Mander et af. 1995; van rist®, Talusin® and Urgilan® (Budavari 1996). T hese cardiac 362 S. Afr. J. Bot. 1999, 65(5 & 6) Table 1 Medicinal uses of members of the Hyacinthaceae in South Africa Plant namc 1 Medicinal uses References Alhuw mnadensis (L) Leighton syn. A. As an anthelmintic, thirst quencher anc.l to treat Watt & Brcyer-Brandwijk I962; Hutchings JllllfOI" venereal c.liseases 1989 Albuca coopen Bak. As an anthelmintic, lotion for washing wounds and Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962; llutchings to treat venereal diseases 1989 .·1/huca fusugaw ( L.f.) Dryanc.l. To treat illnesses caused by poisons Hutchings eta/ 1996 Alhuca selosa Jacq. As an anthelmintic, lotion for washing wounds in Jacot Guillamnd 1971; Hutchings 19R9 animals and to tn:at venereal diseases A/hum slwH"ii Bak. syn . ..1. trichophylla As an anthelmintic and to treat constipation and Walt & Breycr-Brandwijk 1962; Jacot Guil­ gonorrhoea lamnd 1971; Hutchings 1989 Bml"iea m/uhilis Harv. To treat c.lropsy. barrenness in women and head­ Walt & 13rcycr-l3rantlwijk 1962; Batten & aches Bokclmann 1966; Hutchings 1989; Hutch­ ings eta/ 1996 /Jtpcatli hreviofo/ium (Thunb.) Fnurc. To treat heart pains and breathlessness 11utchings 1989; Hutchings et al 1996 fJtpcatlt gmcillimum Bak. syn. /J. po~vphyf- To treat gonorrhoea and pimples Watt & 13rcycr-13randwijk 1962 fum Oipcaclt \'ll"tde (L.) Moench To treat gonorrhoea and flatulence Watt & Breycr-Brandwijk 1962; l3attcn & Bokelmann 1966: Hutchings 1989; llutch­ ings et a/ 1996 !Jrimia ctliaris Jacq. As an emetic. expectorant and diuretic Walt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962 f)rimia data Jacq. To treat high blond pressure and stabbing pains Hutchings el af 1996 /)nmiallem!formi.l· Bak. To treat extemal tumours that have been lanced Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962; Jacot Guil­ lamod 1971 f)rimia mhusta Oak. syn. D. alw As an expectorant, emetic and enema to treat Hutchings 1989; Hutchings et af 1996 feveri sh colds Ez""OIII/ .1" 1111111111/Utlis (Mill.) Chill. To treat co lic. llatulence, syphili s and hangovers Hutchings et af 1996 f:"ummts hicolor Bak. For colic and as a purgative Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962; Batten & 13okclmann 1966; Hutchings et af 1996 f:'ucomts mmo.w (Houtl.) var. comosa syn E. Tn treat rheumatism and teething infants Walt & Brcyer-Brandwijk 1962; Batten & JIIIIIC/(1/(1 l3okclmann 1966; llutchings 1989: Hutch­ ings eta/ 1996 t:ucomts JIO/eevansii N .E. Br. For people sut1'ering from mental disease Wall & Brcycr-Brandwijk 1962 f:"ucoll/1.1" regia (L.) L 'Heril To treat venereal disease, lumbago, diarrhoea, Watt & l3rcycr-Brandwijk 1962 respiratory conditions especially cough nnd biliousness and to prevent premature childbirth f.l!clehrwria cooperi (I look. I:) Jessop syn. Used in the initiation ceremony of boys; to treat Watt & Brcyer-Brandwijk 1962; Hallen & Scilla cooperi. S. immdensis. S. satum gastro-intestinal, gynaecological and psychologi­ !3okclmann I 966: Hutchings 1989: Hutch­ cal ailments ings et a/ 1996 f.edehmll·w ovatifolia (Oak.) Jessop syn. To treat gastro-intestinal and gynaecological llutchings 1989; Hutchings et of 1996 Scilla m·wifolia ailments, backache and inllucnza l.edehouno rewJ!wa (I.. f.) Jessop syn. Scilla For treating lumbago and gall sickness in animals; Watt & Brcyer-Brandwijk 1962: Jacot Guil­ faiiCI!III!(Ofill to bathe skin eruptions anti as an ointment for lamod 197 1 wounds and sores .\/a.uonut echinata L.f. syn M . bowker1 ror ophthalmic applications. sterility and tooth­ Walt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962; Jacot Guil­ ache h:mod 1971 Ormtlwgalum longl/Jractealllm Jacq. To treat swellings or growths Hutch ings 1989: Hutchings et a/ 1996 Ormtlwgalum duhiwn Houtt. syn 0. mima- As an anthelmintic BaHcn & Bokel mann 1966 ll/111 Ormtlwgalum lr!lllljolium De Iaroche subsp. As a rat poison Watt & Brcyer-Brandwijk 1962: Jacot Guil­ tenui(ofiunz syn. 0. eckfonii & 0. viren.1· lamod 197 1 Ormthoj<alum thyrsoides .J acq. To treat diabetes mellitus Watt & l3reyer-13randwijk 1962 Schiznbasis intricala To treat chest complaints Hutchings et of 1996 Scillallatafellsis Planch. syn. S. kraussii & S. As a purgative anti to treat sprains, fractures. boils. Hutchings cl a/ 1996 dracomo11tana vcldsorcs and lung sickness in cattle Set!fa nermsa (Burch. ) Jessop syn. S. rigidi- To treat fevers, gastro-intestinal ailmen ts and Bryant 1966; Hutchings I 989; Hutchings et folia insanity a/ 1996 S. Ati". J. Bot. 1999, 65(5 & 6) 363 Table 1 Continued /.'rgineaaltJssima (I.