Meta-topolin-mediated regeneration and accumulation of phenolic acids in the critically endangered medicinal plant Crinum malabaricum (Amaryllidaceae): A potent source of galanthamine.

• First report on Meta -topolin (m T)-mediated in vitro regeneration and phenolic acid biosynthesis in Crinum malabaricum. • Different concentrations of m T influenced the growth and development of C. malabaricum. • m T-treated cultures had higher levels of hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. • This study will be helpful for large scale propagation and cultures can be manipulated to influence the production of phenolic acids. Crinum malabaricum (Family: Amaryllidaceae) is a critically endangered aquatic medicinal plant endemic to India. This species is a promising natural source of bioactive compounds including galanthamine (GAL), an anti-Alzheimer drug. In vitro regeneration in the Amaryllidaceae is often challenging. This study assessed the use of meta -Topolin (m T) on in vitro regeneration of C. malabaricum. Shoot explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 µM m T for six weeks, whereby 7.5 µM m T resulted in the maximum multiplication of adventitious shoots, much higher than the control. The biochemical accumulation of eleven different phenolic acids was quantified by UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, and it appeared that m T-treated cultures exhibited the highest concentration of phenolic acids. In particular, increased concentrations of gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, syringic acid, p -hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid and vanillic acid were detected compared to the control. m T (2.5 and 5.0 µM) produced the maximum amount of chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid and sinapic acid. However, an increased content of caffeic acid was produced on PGR-free medium. These findings highlight the beneficial effect and validate the rising importance of m T for in vitro regeneration studies. This study will serve as a potential protocol to conserve and restore the medically important C. malabaricum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of South African Journal of Botany is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)