Regeneration of Plants from Protoplasts of Levisticum officinale Koch (Lovage)

Abstract

The genus Levisticum (family Umbelliferae) consists of three species, all occurring in western Europe, Asia Minor, and Iran. Levisticum officinale Koch (Lovage), a perennial medicinal herb, is native to France and the former Yugoslavia and was successfully introduced into north China several decades ago (How 1982). Its roots are used as a hematic tonic in China, and as an aromatic condiment, stomach tonic, and perfume in many other countries (Fang et al. 1979). Lovage is closely related to Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, a rare umbelliferous medicinal herb, which is planted mainly in southwest China, the roots of which enrich the blood, invigorate the circulation, regulate menstrual function, ease pain, etc. and are utilized to treat menoxenia, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, headache, constipation, anemia, rheumatism, ulcer, edema, and so on. The Eumenol preparation, obtained by refining its roots, has been used as traditional Chinese medicine since 19th century (Wang 1983) owing to the vigorous curative effect on gynecological diseases. The major constituents of the essential oil in both lovage and A. sinensis are ligustilide (the content of which is about 35 and 45%, respectively) and butylidene phthalide,both of which have nearly the same or similar mechanisms in pharmacodynamics (Fang et al. 1979).