In vitro cultures of carnivorous plants from the Drosera and Dionaea genus for the production of biologically active secondary metabolites

Abstract

Carnivorous plants belong to endangered species. Due to agricultural development, natural populations of these plants are diminishing. The herbal and ornamental value of these species has also led to their over-collection. The Drosera genus is a natural source of pharmacologically important compounds (e.g. naphthoquinones, flavono-ids, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds) used as substrates in the production of pharmaceuticals. Droserae herba has been in use as an expectorant, diuretic and antispasmodic agent. In recent years, the bacteriostatic and anti-tumour activity of Drosera extracts has been reported. Carnivorous plants have become an important ornamental element in botanical garden collections. This fact, as well as the low propagation rate in their natural environment, is the reason for the in vitro propagation of carnivorous plants. From a single plant cultivated in vitro many genetically identical clonal lines can be obtained through vegetative propagation. This technique allows for the increase in the propagation rate of valuable plant material. Additionally, the use of biotic and abiotic elicitors increases the synthesis of pharmacologically active compounds (bactericidal, bacteriostatic activity and cytotoxic activity). Elicitors play a significant role in the production of secondary metabolites. They induce defense responses in plants, which leads to the accumulation of secondary metabolites. In some cases, compounds not synthesized normally by plants in their natural environment are produced upon elicitation. Elicitors induce the biosynthesis of enzymes which take part in the production of secondary metabolites.