Plant Soil Environ., 2022, 68(1):18-28 | DOI: 10.17221/121/2021-PSE

Changing in the production of anticancer drugs (vinblastine and vincristine) in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don by potassium and ascorbic acid treatmentsOriginal Paper

Neda Sahi¹, Akbar Mostajeran ORCID...^*,1, Mustafa Ghanadian²

¹ Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² Institute of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran

Catharanthus roseus seedling was treated with different concentrations (1.5, 3.16, 15, and 30 mmol) and forms (K₂SO₄ and KNO₃) of potassium (K⁺) via Hoagland's nutrient solution. Ascorbic acid (AsA) was sprayed twice (plant days 68 and 78) with different concentrations (750 and 1 500 mg/L) on the leaves. Vinblastine, vincristine, tryptophan contents, D4H and DAT genes expression, peroxidase activity, and H₂O₂ content of leaves were measured. Potassium in KNO₃ form increased vinblastine (60%) and vincristine (50%), compared to 30% and 20% using K₂SO₄. Vinblastine and vincristine inhibit microtubule assembly and ultimately metaphase-arrested caused by the polymerisation. The genes expression was higher 3 times in KNO₃ and 2.5 times in K₂SO₄ in excess of K⁺. Foliar application of 750 mg/L AsA led to an increase in vinblastine (20%) and vincristine (16%). Both concentrations of AsA had the same additional effect on the expression of D4H and DAT about 30% and 60%, respectively, compared to the control plant. Tryptophan decreased 2.5 times in excess of K⁺ and 35% due to the exterior of AsA. H₂O₂ decreased while peroxidase activity increased along with AsA treatment. A positive interaction existed between the K⁺ and AsA on the amount of vinblastine, vincristine, tryptophan, and gene expression.

Keywords: terpenoid indole alkaloids; anticancer drugs production; secondary metabolites pathway; medicinal plant; nutrient treatment; antioxidant treatment

Published: January 15, 2022  Show citation