*Corresponding Author Address: Dr. Hashim K. Mohammed Al-oubaidi College of Science, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq: E-mail: hashimkadhum@yahoo.com World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN (Print): 2321-3310; ISSN (Online): 2321-3086 Published by Atom and Cell Publishers © All Rights Reserved Available online at: http://www.wjpsonline.org/ Original Article Effect of (UV) light on production of medicinal compounds of Althaea officinalis L. in vitro Hashim K. Mohammed Al-oubaidi*, Baan Munim Abdulrazzaq Twaij*, Aseel Salih Mohammed-Ameen *College of Science, Al-Mustansiriya University, Baghdad, Iraq Received: 16-11-2014 / Revised: 25-11-2014 / Accepted: 26-11-2014 ABSTRACT Medicinal compounds of Althaea officinalis L. were increased In Vitro by using UV light (0, 10, 20, 30, 40) min. then analysis by HPLC technique. The results reported that medicinal compounds had high significant in the most of these compounds. Key words: Althaea officinalis L., UV, medicinal compounds INTRODUCTION Althaea officinalis L. belongs to family (Malvaceae). It is one of the medicinal plants used therapeutically since ancient time. The leaves of the A. officinalis plant as well as the root are used as medicine (1). Leaves, stem and root of A. officinalis is a perennial herb 60 to 120 cm high. Stem is erect and have short petioled leaves (2). A. officinalis is a medicinal plant consumed in case of lipemia, inflammation of nasal and oral cavities, gastric ulcer, platelet aggregation, cystitis, and irritating coughs (3, 4). The studies shows that A. officinalis L. have antibacterial activity, anticomplement activity, antifungal activity, anti- inflammatory activity, antimycobacterial activity, antitussive activity, antiviral activity, antiyeast activity, common cold relief, cytotoxic activity (5).Plant tissue culture medium contains all the nutrients required for the normal growth and development of plants. It is mainly composed of macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, other organic components, plant growth regulators, carbon source and some gelling agents in case of solid medium (6). Cell and tissue in vitro culture is a useful tool for the production of secondary metabolites (7). Secondary metabolites are organic compounds synthesized by plants however they are not directly essential for photosynthesis, reproduction, respiration or other primary functions. The chemicals have extremely diverse effects. They often play an important role in the plant defense system. Some of them contribute to pollination and serve as protection from drought, salinity and UV radiation (8).The aim of this study to increase the production of secondary metabolites of A. officinalis L. which use as medicinal compounds using UV light as elicitor for the production of secondary plant products In Vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS Source of Explants: Officinal’s were collected on 1 st Nov. 2013 from the garden of Al-Mustansriyia University in Baghdad/Iraq. Sterilization of Explants: Before the culturing in vials, the leaves were rinsed with running tap water for 1 hr. then submerged in (95%) ethanol for one minute, Washed with sterilized DDH2O, after that rinsed with (2%) concentration of sodium hypochlorite for (10) min. followed by washing with DDH2O three times for five minutes, all this process done in sterilize condition at laminar air flow-cabinet. Medium of callus induction: Table 1. showed the modify MS medium have been used for callus induction, The subculture have been done every 3 weeks. After that callus exposure to UV light (0, 10, 20, 30, 40) min. with short wave length ranging (100-280) nm. which incubated at 16/8 hrs. light/dark photoperiod at the illumination intensity was 1000 lux at a temperature 25 ± 1 °C. (6).