Carnivorous plants belong to endangered species. Due to agricultural development, natural populations of these
plants are diminishing. The herbal and ornamental value of these species has also led to their over-collection.
The Drosera genus is a natural source of pharmacologically important compounds (e.g. naphthoquinones, flavonoids,
anthocyanins, phenolic compounds) used as substrates in the production of pharmaceuticals. Droserae herba
has been in use as an expectorant, diuretic and antispasmodic agent. In recent years, the bacteriostatic and antitumour
activity of Drosera extracts has been reported. Carnivorous plants have become an important ornamental
element in botanical garden collections. This fact, as well as the low propagation rate in their natural environment,
is the reason for the in vitro propagation of carnivorous plants. From a single plant cultivated in vitro many
genetically identical clonal lines can be obtained through vegetative propagation. This technique allows for the
increase in the propagation rate of valuable plant material. Additionally, the use of biotic and abiotic elicitors
increases the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds (bactericidal, bacteriostatic activity and cytotoxic
activity). Elicitors play a significant role in the production of secondary metabolites. They induce defense responses
in plants, which leads to the accumulation of secondary metabolites. In some cases, compounds not synthesized
normally by plants in their natural environment are produced upon elicitation. Elicitors induce the biosynthesis
of enzymes which take part in the production of secondary metabolites.