Pelargonium sidoides plants that were cloned in vitro and
acclimatized to maturity in the greenhouse retained their phytochemical
signature based on phenolic compound profiling using
UPLC-MS/MS. The concentration of phenolic compounds varied
depending on the plant part analyzed. Based on the pharmacological
data generated in this study, aerial parts can be used to
substitute the commonly preferred underground tubers for the
preparation of herbal formulations. Results of this study offer
promising prospects for the conservation of Pelargonium sidoides
through large scale cultivation (via micropropagation) as well as
plant part substitution. In particular, the study highlights the
largely untapped potential benefits of integrating plant tissue
culture technology in the conservation of medicinal plant species.