Accumulation of biologically active furanocoumarins in Ruta graveolens ssp. divaricata (Tenore) Gams in vitro culture.

The study was designed to investigate dynamics of accumulation of five linear furanocoumarins and umbelliferone in stationary liquid cultures of Ruta graveolens ssp. divaricata (Tenore) Gams during 6-week growth cycles. The contents of individual metabolites in biomass increased 1.

Naturally occurring benzodiazepines: current status of research and clinical implications.

Naturally occurring benzodiazepines (BZDs) were first detected in mammalian tissues in 1986. They comprise a variety of 1,4-benzodiazepines corresponding to drugs commercially available for the treatment of anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances and epileptic seizures. Several biosynthetic pathways leading to the formation of BZDs are currently being discussed and have led to the proposition of possible precursor molecules.

Identification of benzodiazepines in Artemisia dracunculus and Solanum tuberosum rationalizing their endogenous formation in plant tissue.

Sterile cultivated plant cell tissues and cell regenerates of several species were tested for their binding affinity to the central human benzodiazepine receptor. Binding activity was found in extracts of Artemisia dracunculus cell tissue (IC(50) = 7 microg/ml) and, to a lesser extent, in plant regenerates of potato herb (Solanum tuberosum). Preparative HPLC led to the isolation of fractions with a significant displacing potency in the benzodiazepine receptor binding assay.

Tissue culture of the desert plant Anastatica hiërochuntica.

Callus derived from the winter annual desert plant Anastatica hiërochuntica was grown on different media, Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium giving the best results. Large amounts of lignified xylem elements were formed resulting in an extremely hard tissue. The growth responses to different auxins, cytokinins and abscisic acid were investigated.

The influence of phytohormones on growth, organ differentiation and fructan production in callus of Symphytum officinale L.

Callus derived from Symphytum officinale L. regenerants was cultured in the presence of various phytohormones. The growth rate of callus was stimulated by all phytohormones at various concentrations.

Fructan Synthesis in Tissue Cultures of Symphytum officinale; L. Initiation, Differentiation, and Metabolic Activity.

Tissue cultures originating from different organs i.e. leaves, leaf-stalks, ovaries, anthers, and roots of SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE were initiated under various growth conditions and subcultured several times to give the first callus generation.

[Studies on Ruta graveolens ssp. divaricata].

Parts of leaves, stems and roots of Ruta graveolens ssp. divaricata (Tenore) Gams were explanted on Linsmaier and Skoog (16) medium. All explants showed good callus growth under various culture conditions.

[Investigations on harpagophytum.].

Comparing the analytical results of the constituants of naturally growing roots and callus of Harpagophytum procumbens, it could be demonstrated that both, the products of the primary and the secondary metabolism, showed important differences. Harpagosid which is present in significant amounts in the roots and tubers of the fresh plants, was shown to be completely absent in the callus. Stachyose the main reserve carbohydrate again was only produced in minor amounts.

[On the existence of a cytokinin-like factor in cuscuta reflexa].

In extracts ofCuscuta reflexa ROXB. a cytokinin like factor (CAF = Cuscuta active factor) was found. It was shown that activity of this factor is similar to that of kinetin in all essential points.