[Searching for cytostatic substances in plant tissue of Maytenus molina by in vitro culture. III. Release of substances from active biological fractions from the callus extract of Maytenus wallichiana R. and B]. / Poszukiwanie substancji cytostatycznych w tkankach roslin z rodzaju Maytenus molina w kulturze in vitro. III. Wydzielenie substancji z aktywnych biologicznie frakcji ekstraktu kalusa Maytenus wallichiana R.et B.

Chromatographic studies controlled by biological evaluation (Tetrahymena test) showed some colour substances among them tingenone and beta-sitosterol. In order to identify the substances extraction and biologically controlled chromatography was carried out. Two substances were isolated, their properties corresponding with tingenone and beta-sitosterol.

[Investigating cytostatic substances in tissue of plants Maytenus Molina in in-vitro cultures. II. chromatographic test of extracts from callus of Maytenus wallichiana R. et B]. / Poszukiwanie substancji cytostatycznych w tkankach roslin rodzaju Maytenus Molina w kulturze in vitro. II. Badania chromatograficzne wyciagów z kalusa Maytenus wallichiana R. et B.

Maytenus wallichiana callus tissue was extracted. The extract was fractionated to achieve maytansine containing residue. In none of the fractions maytansine corresponding substance was found. However evaluation by Tetrahymena test indicated strong cytotoxicity (ID50 1.8 micrograms/cm3). Chromatography of biologically active fractions demonstrated the presence of colour chinone methide triterpenes (tingenone).

[The search for cytostatic substances in the tissues of plants of the genus Maytenus molina in in vitro culture. I. Callas culture and biological studies of its extracts]. / Poszukiwanie substancji cytostatycznych w tkankach roslin rodzaju Maytenus molina w kulturze in vitro. I. Kultura kalusa i badania biologiczne jego wyciagów.

Plant tissue cultures of Maytenus wallichiana Raju et Babu and Maytenus emarginata Ding Hou were initiated. Growth conditions of the callus and the optimum medium composition have been established. Increments of callus wet mass and dynamics of callus growth were determined. Morphological and microscopic observations were also performed. The most efficient growth of the callus, resulting in increments of its wet mass up to 6460%, was obtained on the modified Murashige and Skoog medium. Extracts of the callus were found to be inactive against microorganisms, but proved cytotoxic for lymphocytic leukaemia L 5178Y (ED50 18-48 micrograms/cm3) and the protozoon T. pyriformis (ID50 43-53 micrograms/cm3).