Aims: Plumbago indica is a medicinal plant widely grown in the tropics and temperate region to use in traditional systems of medicine. Different parts of this plant are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, cancer, leprosy, syphilis, rheumatism, paralysis, headache, leukoderma, enlarged glands, scabies, ophthalmia, dyspepsia, haemorrhage, piles, flatulence, loss of appetite etc. Various kinds of researches were carried out in different countries on propagation and pharmacology of this medicinal plant. Scientifically proven data were concentrated on this paper to facilitate reliable convenience data source and encourage further studies. Methodology: Scientific data published on full papers, abstracts about morphology, growth, propagation, traditional medicinal uses and pharmacology of P. indica over 70 years (1949-2020) by researchers in different countries were collected and categorized under suitable topics. Results: According to literature P. indica leaves, stems, roots contain phytochemical compound that are responsible for its medicinal properties. Tissue culture of this plant can be uses as effective propagation method to fulfill the increasing demand of raw materials (dried plant parts) for medicinal preparations as well as preserve the plant in their natural habitat. Value: P. indica is used to treat vast range of diseases in traditional medicinal systems in different countries and currently pharmacological experiments are conducting to prove it scientifically. Plumbagin present in P. indica roots was already identified as a potential anti-cancer agent and subjected to more research interest. Therefore this review article helps new researchers to get wide knowledge about the plant and its pharmacology.

Aims: Plumbago indica L. commonly known as rose-coloured leadwort in English is widely used in the treatment of rheumatism, paralysis, leprosy, headache, leukoderma, enlarged glands, scorpion-sting, cancer, ophthalmia, secondary syphilis, dyspepsia, haemorrhage, piles, flatulence and loss of appetite etc. in traditional medicinal systems. Plumbagin is one of the major phytochemicals that is responsible for most of the above biological activities of P. indica. This plant is gradually decreasing from its natural habitats due to over exploitation for medicinal purposes. The use of tissue culture plants for mass scale cultivation and phytochemical extraction can protect P. indica that grows in the natural environment. The development of cell culture allows extracting plumbagin without growing plants in the field.   Study Design: Quantitative and qualitative comparison of phytochemicals in tissue cultured and conventionally propagated P. indica plant roots and callus was done using HPLC and GC-MS analysis. Methodology: The amount of plumbagin present in eight months old field-grown tissue cultured and conventionally propagated (shoot cutting) plant roots, callus, and cell culture were quantified by HPLC analysis and phytochemicals were identified qualitatively using GC-MS analysis. Results: Conventionally propagated plant root extract had the highest plumbagin content 23.53 \(\pm\)5.34 \(\mu g\)/mL when compared with tissue cultured plant roots (12.90 \(\pm\)2.42 \(\mu g\)/mL), callus (0.009 µg/mL), cell culture pellet (0.015 \(\pm\)0.01 \(\mu g\)/mL) and cell culture supernatant extract (4.23 \(\pm\)2.07 \(\mu g\)/mL). The GC-MS analysis revealed that conventionally propagated plant root extract contained a higher number of phytochemicals (16) while tissue cultured plant roots contained only four. Callus extract contained only n-Hexadecanoic acid. Nine phytochemicals were detected in cell culture pellet extract while only three phytochemicals were detected in the supernatant. Conclusion: Tissue cultured P. indica roots can be also used as a source to extract plumbagin in mass scale, yet conditions need to be optimized in order to produce high level of plumbagin. The study confirmed not only the possibility of obtaining plumbagin through cell cultures in a bioreactor system but also products that are mainly secreted into the medium.