Production of camptothecin by hairy roots and regenerated transformed shoots of Ophiorrhiza rugosa var. decumbens

Abstract

Camptothecin (CPT), the derivatives of which are used clinically for the treatment of metastatic colon cancer, is isolated from intact plants that can be subjected to environmental fluctuations. In vitro cultures may be an alternate and continuous source for year-round production of CPT. Since CPT production by undifferentiated cell cultures is low, differentiated tissues such as root cultures may be a viable alternate source for CPT production. Hairy roots were induced in Ophiorriza rugosa, a source of CPT, using Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain LBA9402. The hairy roots, when cultured in light, showed spontaneous regeneration of shoots. Analysis of CPT levels in the hairy roots and in vitro-grown transformed shoots revealed 0.009% d.w. and 0.012% d.w., respectively.

Keywords:

• Agrobacterium rhizogenes
• camptothecin
• hairy root
• Ophiorrhiza rugosa

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr T. Tepfer for A. rhizogenes and Dr S.F. D'souza for critical evaluation of the manuscript.