Antitumor alkaloids in callus cultures of Cephalotaxus harringtonia
1977
Delfel, N.E. | Rothfus, J.A.
Leaves and stems of C. harringtonia were induced to callus on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with additional vitamins, hypoxanthine, naphthaleneacetic acid and kinetin. Analysis by GC-MS [gas chromatography-mass spectrometry] showed cephalotaxine and its antitumor esters (harringtonine, isoharringtonine and homoharringtonine) in callus and medium, whereas deoxyharringtonine was present (in relatively large amounts) only in the medium. The amount of each alkaloid was 2-6 times greater at 6 mo. than at 3 mo. except for deoxyharringtonine, which was not increased. At 6 mo., the total alkaloid production was 1-3% of levels reported for mature trees, but the pattern was the same: 60% cephalotaxine, 40% esters. The pattern of the parent plant was unique (5% cephalotaxine, 80% homoharringtonine, 15% other esters) and may more accurately represent that of fresh plant material. A new cephalotaxine ester, homodeoxyharringtonine, was also detected in the culture medium.
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