RESUMO
Objective To investigate the biotransformation of podophyllotoxin by cell suspension culture and root culture systems of Rheum palmatum.Methods Plant tissue culture technology was employed.The products were isolated by silica gel column chromatography and their structures were elucidated by spectral methods.Results Adding of podophyllotoxin had no obvious effects on the pH value of cell suspension culture and root culture systems of R.palmatum.In the case of present study,73.8% of podophyllotoxin was converted by cell suspension culture and 56.3% by root culture.The products were different between the two culture system.Podophyllotoxin was converted into picropodophyllin with cell suspension culture system and many other products besides epipodophyllotoxin with root culture system.Conclusion Both of cell suspension culture and root culture systems of R.palmatum are able to convert podophyllotoxin.