Eight Psoralea species (Leguminosae) were inoculated with Agrobacterium rhizogenes, strains 8196 and 9402. Hairy roots were only induced by strain 9402. Attention was focussed on Psoralea lachnostachys. Transformed roots grew very rapidly in Gamborg B5 liquid medium with a doubling time of the culture of 38 hours. Whatever the culture conditions, the two furanocoumarins usually found in roots of Psoralea plants, psoralen and angelicin, were not detected in cultured transformed and non transformed roots even when some chitosan was added to the medium. However, 669 μg.g(-1) dry matter of psoralen and 215 μg.g(-1) dry matter of angelicin were found in roots from soil grown plants. A possible translocation of these compounds from the aerial parts to the roots is suggested.
Previous studies have shown that 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) is able to enhance melatonin secretion from rat pineal glands. The effect of another psoralen, 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) on plasma melatonin concentrations alone or in combination with isoproterenol (Iso, 10 mg/kg BW, i.p.) or propranolol (Prop, 20 mg/kg BW, s.c.) was studied in the rat. An increase in plasma melatonin concentrations was observed 1 h after psoralen administration and lasted 8 h. The stimulatory effect of 5-MOP on circulating melatonin concentrations was dose dependent above 5-mg/kg, BW. 5-MOP also potentiated the Iso-induced rise in plasma melatonin levels. Furthermore, Prop did not block the effect of 5-MOP, indicating that the psoralen acts independently of the noradrenergic system controlling pineal melatonin synthesis. No increase in plasma melatonin levels was observed in pinealectomized (Px) animals after injection of 5-MOP (20 mg/kg BW) or 8-MOP (20 mg/kg BW). This demonstrates that the rise in plasma melatonin concentrations observed after treatment requires the presence of the pineal gland, and that neither 5-MOP nor 8-MOP stimulates melatonin release from other structures such as the retina or Harderian gland.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.