Bridelia Scandens Wild. A New Source for Podophyllotoxin Production in Vitro by Feeding Coniferyl Alcohol

Abstract

Objective: In the present study, a new method for the production of anticancerous compound podophyllotoxin (PTOX) was developed for Bridelia scandens Wild. by feeding coniferyl alcohol.
 Methods: The production of anticancerous compound PTOX through leaf explant derived calli of B. scandens. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with 0.5 mg/l 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) induced luxuriant mass of callus growth. Suspension culture was initiated by sterile MS media fortified with 0.1–1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.1–1.0 mg/l 2,4-D. and growth product was analyzed by the high-pressure liquid chromatography method.
 Results: Phytochemical analysis of the B. scandens leaf and leaf calli showed the presence of PTOX at the concentrations of 0.69 and 1.81, respectively. The callus cell suspension was established with the same callogenic media also it is augmented with 10–70 mg/l of coniferyl alcohol to elicit the biosynthesis of PTOX. Successive cultures of the calli suspension yielded stable production of PTOX of 3.91 mg/g dry cell weight at 50 mg/l coniferyl alcohol in the media. The biosynthesis of PTOX was ideal when plant cells were cultivated in the dark with an agitation speed of 100 rpm.
 Conclusion: The growth and production of PTOX were found to be better with glucose than with sucrose as the medium carbon source. The harvesting of the secondary metabolite from the in vitro grown leaf calli of B. scandens is a better way to stop the exploitation of medicinal plants.