V. Payamnoor; J. Nazari; R. Jafari Hajati
Abstract
Betulin and betulinic acid are from the most important anticancer and anti-HIV metabolites, and the birch species (Betula spp.) bark is considered as the primary source of these metabolites. Due to the extinction of these tree species in Iran, it is necessary to replace the metabolites extraction from ...
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Betulin and betulinic acid are from the most important anticancer and anti-HIV metabolites, and the birch species (Betula spp.) bark is considered as the primary source of these metabolites. Due to the extinction of these tree species in Iran, it is necessary to replace the metabolites extraction from the birch bark with modern methods such as cell and tissue culture to produce the metabolites. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of explant type on the amount of betulin and betulinic acid produced in calli of two birch species B. pendula and B. litwinowii under in vitro conditions compared to the amount of metabolites extracted from the tree bark. Bark and leaf explants of two mentioned species were cultured in WPM medium containing 1 mg/L BAP and 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D for callogenesis. The amount of betulin and betulinic acid in three-month calli was measured using the HPLC technique and compared with the amount of these metabolites in one-centimeter stem bark samples taken from nature. The bark explant was more successful in callogenesis, and calli derived from this explant had more active ingredients. The amount of betulin and betulinic acid from the extract of bark sample taken from nature was respectively obtained to be 5.23 and 2.91 percent for B. pendula, and 5.65 and 2.52 percent for B. litwinowii. Moreover, calli derived from the bark explant of B. pendula and B. litwinowii contained 0.023 and 0.016 percent of betulin and 0.053 and 0.057 percent of betulinic acid, respectively. Generally, the results indicated that the bark explant was more capable of callogenesis and secondary metabolite induction than the leaf explant in both birch species under in vitro conditions.
J. Nazari; V. Payamnoor; M.R. Kavosi; J. Asadi
Abstract
Lichens are small environments containing two fungus and algae symbiosis. They are one of the richest sources of natural ingredients with anti-tumor, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties, some of which are used as drugs and for the treatment of certain diseases. This research was aimed to identify ...
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Lichens are small environments containing two fungus and algae symbiosis. They are one of the richest sources of natural ingredients with anti-tumor, antibiotic, and antioxidant properties, some of which are used as drugs and for the treatment of certain diseases. This research was aimed to identify and determine the amount of betolin and betulinic acid as well as evaluation of the antioxidant activity of lichen Betula pendula Roth. Roth.and its symbiotic fungus. It was found that the lichen isolated from the bark of birch contained bioactive compounds entitled Raminalina sinensis. The symbiotic fungus (Arthrinium arundinis) was detected by the molecular method. This fungus belongs to the ascomycetes, registered for the first time in the NCBI website with MG198621 code. In the extract of lichen and its symbiotic fungus, the amount of betulinic acid and betulinic acid was determined using HPLC. Betulinic acid and betulin, belonging to the terpenes, are known as a strong anticancer agent. The mentioned ingredientswere significantly found in the lichen tissue(2.17 and 0.075 percent, respectively) and in its symbiotic fungus A. arundinis (1.6 and 0.025 percent, respectively). In this way, the lichen and its symbiotic fungus are introduced for the first time as new sources containing these two active ingredients. Measurement of antioxidant properties of lichen extract and its symbiotic fungus was examined by methanol and ethanol solvents. It was found that the lichen extract and the symbiotic fungus, besides having alternative metabolites, have antioxidant properties, which are able to remove toxic free radicals. These results could have valuable effects in medicine and industry.
