Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) - a plant with potential medicinal value

Lychnis flos-cuculi L., Caryophyllaceae, contains a number of active compounds belonging to several chemical groups. Previous studies have led to the identification of phytoecdysteroids, triterpenoids saponins, volatile compounds, fatty acid derivatives, phenolic acids and flavonoids. Research on pharmacological activity showed that plant extracts inhibited the growth of bacteria and fungi. The antimitotic properties of preparations from the herb L. flos-cuculi were also reported. The phytochemical analyses demonstrated that this taxon contains pharmaceutically promising compounds, but more phytochemical and pharmacological studies of L. flos-cuculi are needed for further information regarding this plant. This review summarizes reports regarding chemical composition and biological activity of L. flos-cuculi as well as several cognate species, which pose opportunities related to in vitro propagation and cell and tissue cultures. In vitro-regenerated plantlets could be a good source of genetically uniform plant material for future research.

Studies on the effect of age of in vitro grown seedlings on regenerative response of explants in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).

Studies on the effectiveness of age of in vitro grown seedlings on regenerative response of explants derived from them were conducted in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. PKM-1. The results revealed that cotyledons and hypocotyls of 10 days old seedlings were found to be superior compared to explants collected from 8, 12, 14 days old seedlings when MS medium is supplemented with BAP 1.5 mg/L + Kinetin 1.0 mg/L. These findings could be well exploited for further development of quick regenerative and transformation protocols for the tomato cv.PKM-1.

Expression of the antibody 14D9 in Nicotiana tabacum hairy roots

Nicotiana tabacum hairy roots that express the antibody 14D9 were established. The 14D9 antibody yield obtained after 20 days of culture was 5.95 μg 14D9ml-1. The addition of the reticulum endoplasmic retention sequence KDEL demonstrated a positive effect over the intracellular 14D9 amounts with a yield increase up to 20.82 µg ml-1. DMSO increased the antibody amount in the biomass from 20.00 to 64.03 µg ml-1 while PVP (at 1.5 gl-1) and gelatine (at 5.0 gl-1) increased total 14D9 amounts in the culture medium to 25 µg and 14 µg respectively.