In vitro biotechnological production and pharmacological studies of antileukemic alkaloids of catharanthus roseus

Abstract

Different techniques of in vitro cultures of the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus are available. In this regard, the plant is a source of important secondary metabolites that are compounds widely used in pharmacology. For instance, vinblastine and vincristine are alkaloids employed in the treatment of leukemia. This chapter discusses the techniques mostly used in the field of modern biotechnology, such as the in vitro culture of callus and suspension cells, as well as those related to organs, roots, and seedlings. Similarly, the chapter encompasses the types of explant cultures used, induction rates, and the culture environment, jointly with hormones and concentration employed. Also discussed is the level of production of each category of alkaloids according to the type of in vitro culture. Similarly, new metabolites obtained from suspension cell cultures of Catharanthus roseus, along with major pharmacological studies recently conducted, are contained in the chapter.