ABSTRACT
Aescin in calli and embryoids obtained from both cotyledon and stem explants of Aesculus hippocastanum were investigated by HPLC. Determinations were carried out on tissues cultured in agarized medium supplemented with growth substances (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; kinetin; 1-naphthaleneacetic acid). The results indicate that aescin was produced in all the analysed samples. The amount of active principle present in some samples was higher than that found in horse-chestnut seeds.
Subject(s)
Cotyledon/metabolism , Escin/biosynthesis , Plant Stems/metabolism , Plants, Medicinal/metabolism , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Culture Techniques , Escin/analysis , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal/drug effects , Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet , Stimulation, ChemicalABSTRACT
HPLC determinations of the aescin contents in calli and embryoids from leaf explants of AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM L. were carried out in order to determine whether it was possible to obtain aescin-forming proliferations IN VITRO. The results indicate that embryogenic calli and embryoids derived from them produce an amount of active principle higher than that of horse-chestnut seeds. The data are discussed in terms of the relation between tissue differentiation and secondary metabolites biosynthesis.
ABSTRACT
Seeds of Cercis siliquastrum L., whose dormancy is broken both by low temperatures and by treatments with gibberellin, were treated with kinetin at various concentrations. This substance does not induce germination, but causes the detaching of the basal portion of the tegument along a circular line without damaging the cells of tegument itself. Such a line is the same as observed in the tegument when the seed naturally germinates.
