Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis of Hairy Root Cultures.

Hairy root cultures are genetically and biochemically stable, and they regularly possess the same or better biosynthetic capabilities for specialized (secondary) metabolite production compared to the intact plant. species are well-known herbal remedies in ethnopharmacology and rich sources of isoflavonoids. Besides isoflavones, less prevalent isoflavones and pterocarpans with valuable biological effects can be found in species as well.

[Effect of Scutellaria baicalensis root extract on cytogenetic damage induced by paclitaxel and cisplatin in mice].

The effect of root extract of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) cultivated in vitro, on the gene structure of CBA/CaLac mice bone marrow cells damaged by anticancer drugs paclitaxel and cisplatin has been studied. It is established that the root extract exhibits gene protective property upon both single and chronic administration.

[Genetically transformed plant roots as a model for studying specific metabolism and symbiotic contacts of the root system].

Genetic transformation of plants mediated by Ri plasmid of Agrobacterium rhizogenes occupies a special place in plant cell engineering, since this technique based on a natural phenomenon allows cultivation of separately growing roots on hormone-free media. Application of wild-type unmodified agrobacterial strains allows us to obtain root cultures capable of long-term growth in vitro due to an increased sensitivity of the cells to auxins while other biochemical properties remain unaltered. A collection of pRi T-DNA transformed roots of certain dicotyledons was constructed; some strains of it are used to study synthesis of secondary metabolites in root cells.

Specific accumulation and revised structures of acridone alkaloid glucosides in the tips of transformed roots of Ruta graveolens.

The root tips of Ruta graveolens (common rue) show strong autofluorescence of acridone alkaloids, which are characteristic secondary metabolites of this plant. To study the specific distribution and accumulation of acridone alkaloids in various root segments of Ruta graveolens, root material was harvested from genetically transformed root cultures and extracts were investigated by chromatographic techniques and HPLC-(1)H NMR spectroscopy. The cells of the elongation and differentiation zones contained acridone glucosides and large amounts of acridone alkaloids, mainly rutacridone.

New terpenoids in cultivated and wild chamomile (in vivo and in vitro).

The effect of Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert is made up by several groups of active substances, among which terpenoids in the inflorescences are of greatest importance. Among cultivated species, the Hungarian BK-2 contains more chamazulene in its essential oil than the German Degumil type, which is mainly cultivated for its (-)-alpha-bisabolol.