Effect of in vitro morphogenesis on the production of podophyllotoxin derivatives in callus cultures of Linum album.

The anticancer compound podophyllotoxin and other related lignans can be produced in Linum album in vitro cultures, although their biosynthesis varies according to the degree of differentiation of the plant material. In general, L. album cell cultures do not form the same lignans as roots or other culture systems. Our aim was to explore how the lignan-producing capacity of organogenic cell masses is affected by the conditions that promote their formation and growth. Thus, L. album biomass obtained from plantlets was cultured in darkness or light, with or without the addition of plant growth regulators, and the levels of podophyllotoxin, methoxypodophyllotoxin and other related lignans were determined in each of these conditions. The organogenic capacity of the cell biomass grown in the different conditions was studied directly and also with light and scanning electronic microscopy, leading to the observation of.several somatic embryos and well-formed shoots. The main lignan produced was methoxypodophyllotoxin, whose production was clearly linked to the organogenic capacity of the cell biomass, which to a lesser extent was also the case for podophyllotoxin.

Plant Anti-cancer Agents and their Biotechnological Production in Plant Cell Biofactories.

BACKGROUND: Bioactive plant secondary metabolites have complex chemical structures, which are specific to each plant species/family, and accumulate in tiny amounts. The growing market demand for many phytochemicals can lead to the over-harvesting of medicinal plants in their natural habitat, endangering species in the process. OBJECTIVE: An ongoing challenge for our society is therefore to develop a bio-sustainable production of phytochemicals, among other natural resources. Cancer is currently a major health problem, responsible for approximately 8.2 million deaths per year worldwide. We therefore focused this review on cancer therapeutic agents from plants and their biotechnological production. METHOD AND RESULTS: An extensive review of the literature shows that although a wide range of phytochemicals have demonstrated anti-proliferative activity in vitro, only a few examples of plant-based drugs are included in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification as antineoplastic agents. These include vinca alkaloids and their derivatives (L01CA), podophyllotoxin derivatives (L01CB), and paclitaxel and its derivatives (L01CD), as well as camptothecin derivatives (L01XX). These compounds all have in common a complex chemical structure, a scarce distribution in nature, and a high added value. After describing the chemical structures, natural sources and biological activities of these anticancer compounds, we focus on the state of the art in their biotechnological production in plant cell biofactories. CONCLUSION: More in-depth studies are required on the biosynthesis of target plant metabolites and its regulation in order to increase their biotechnological production in plant cell factories and ultimately implement these biosustainable processes at an industrial level.