ORIGINAL ARTICLES Effect of Heavy Metal (HgCl 2 ) on Accumulation and Production of Total Indole Alkaloids, Vinblastine And/or Vincristine from Egyptian Catharanthus Roseus

Abstract

ABSTRACT Catharanthus roseus is still the only source for the powerful antitumor drugs vinblastine and vincristine. Effects of mercuric (HgCl 2 ) on enhancement the accumulation rate of total indole alkaloids; antineoplastic agents (vinblastine and/or vincristine) in calli cultures of Egyptian Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. (Don) were studied. Hgcl 2 was used at levels of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 μm/l, added to modified alkaloid production medium (MAPM). The obtained results showed that: All tested concentrations of Hg significantly decreased the different measured growth parameters of shoot and root derived calli, however, the percentage of dry matter content significantly increased comparing the control treatment. Moreover, the percentage of total indole-alkaloids was significantly increased. The highest values of the accumulation rate of total indole-alkaloids, further, vinblastine and/or vincristine were recorded at the rate of 0.8 mM / Hg in shoot and root derived calli, respectively