In Vitro Production of Alkaloids

Abstract

Plants are considered as a potent source of a wide variety of bioactive molecules that can be used for the development of the various pharmaceutical drugs. Alkaloids are the important class of secondary metabolites, known to exhibit therapeutic properties including anti-tumor, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-malarial activities. Alkaloids are able to prevent various degenerative diseases by binding with the oxidative reaction catalyst or free radicals. The commercial extraction of alkaloids is reported from some major families like Apocynaceae, Papaveraceae, Rubiaceae, and Solanaceae. By this system, the yield of alkaloids is inconsistent due to genetic and geographical variations. Chemical synthesis is still not feasible system due to complex molecular structure of various metabolites. Therefore, in vitro system for production of alkaloids has become a promising biotechnological approach from a range of medicinal plants. Some of the medicinal plants such as Nicotiana tobaccum (nicotine), Erythroxylum coca (cocaine), Cinchona officinalis (quinine and quinidine), Rauwolfia serpentina (reserpine), and Pilocarpine microphyllus (pilocarpine) have been explored for in vitro production of their respective alkaloids. The present chapter provides brief information on various in vitro production systems and scale-up techniques used for alkaloid production.