Differential alkaloid profile in Uncaria tomentosa micropropagated plantlets and root cultures

Biotechnol Lett. 2013 May;35(5):791-7. doi: 10.1007/s10529-012-1128-8. Epub 2013 Jan 8.

Abstract

The alkaloids of Uncaria tomentosa micropropagated plantlets and root cultures were isolated and identified by NMR and mass spectrometry. Plantlets yielded pteropodine (1), isopteropodine (2), mitraphylline (3), isomitraphylline (4), uncarine F (5), speciophylline (6), rhynchophylline (7) and isorhynchophylline (8). In plantlets growing under continuous light, tetracyclic alkaloids 7 and 8 decreased from 20 ± 1.8 at 2 months to 2.2 ± 0.33 mg/g dry wt at 6 months, while the pentacyclic alkaloids 1-4 increased from 7.7 ± 1.4 to 15 ± 0.05 mg/g dry wt, supporting their biogenetic conversion. Micropropagated plantlets produced four times more alkaloids (27.6 ± 3.1 mg/g dry wt) than greenhouse plants. Plantlet roots yielded 3, 4, 8 and the glucoindole alkaloids 3α-dihydrocadambine (9) and dolichantoside (10), the last one not previously found in Uncaria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / analysis
  • Alkaloids / chemistry*
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification
  • Cat's Claw / chemistry*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Indoles / analysis
  • Indoles / chemistry
  • Indoles / isolation & purification
  • Models, Molecular
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Tissue Culture Techniques

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Indoles
  • Plant Extracts