Medicinal bulbous plants biology, phytochemistry and biotechnology

Abstract

Bulbous plants are geophytes with an enlarged storage structure called bulb which helps them to perennate extreme conditions. True bulbs mostly constitute petaloid monocotyledons belonging to Amaryllidaceae, Alliaceae, Hyacinthaceae, Liliaceae and Iridaceae. These bulbous plants produce an array of unique biologically active compounds and have been extensively used in ethno medicine. Norbelladine alkaloids produced by Amaryllidaceae plants have anticancerous, acetylcholine esterase inhibitory and antimalarial activities while organosulphur compounds characteristic of the family Alliaceae are known for their antioxidant, anticancerous, antidiabetic and antihypertensive activities. Cardenolides and bufadienolides produced by members of Hyacinthaceae exhibit cardiotonic properties and have been used to treat heart failure since time immemorial. Such extensive medicinal properties of bulbous plants have resulted in their ruthless exploitation making their conservation an immediate necessity. Micropropagation, genetic improvements as well as elicitation of secondary metabolite can aid in the judicious exploitation of bulbous medicinal plants. The present review encompasses within its scope biology, phytochemistry and biotechnology of true bulbous geophytes of medicinal importance. © 2014 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.