<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the
biotransformation of
podophyllotoxin by the
cell suspension culture and root
culture systems of
Rheum palmatum.</p><p><b>
METHOD</b>Using
plant tissue culture technology and
HPLC techniques to isolate products. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic means.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>
Cell suspension culture of R. palmatum could convert
podophyllotoxin to produce picropodophyllotoxin with the yield of 73.8%, while root
culture of R. palmatum could convert
podophyllotoxin to produce
epipodophyllotoxin and apopodophyllotoxin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>
Podophyllotoxin did not
affect the
pH value of the media used in
tissue cultures. Both
cell suspension culture and root
culture of R. palmatum can convert
podophyllotoxin.</p>