Development of an in vitro culture of Larrea divaricata for biomass production

PALACIO, L; BONGIOVANNI, GUILLERMINA; LUCHINO, N; GOLENIOWSKI, ME

Molecular Medicinal Chemistry

IDECEFYN

Año: 2006 vol. 10 p. 14 - 16

1666-888X

Larrea is an important genus widely distributed in the New World, including five well-known species, which are dominant bushes in extensive desertic areas. A native species to Argentina, Larrea divaricata, contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) together with other lignans and flavonoids in the resinous leaf exudates (Mabry and Bohnstedt, 1979). The main biological activities of these compounds are the following: antioxidant activity (Sinnott et al., 1998), enzymatic inhibition (Whitman et al. 2002), antiviral properties (Larreastat, 2000; Konigheim et al., 2005) as well as anticancer activity (Anesini et al., 1999). is an important genus widely distributed in the New World, including five well-known species, which are dominant bushes in extensive desertic areas. A native species to Argentina, Larrea divaricata, contains nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) together with other lignans and flavonoids in the resinous leaf exudates (Mabry and Bohnstedt, 1979). The main biological activities of these compounds are the following: antioxidant activity (Sinnott et al., 1998), enzymatic inhibition (Whitman et al. 2002), antiviral properties (Larreastat, 2000; Konigheim et al., 2005) as well as anticancer activity (Anesini et al., 1999). In vitro culture for obtaining active principles offers a possible alternative when thinking about the production of a secondary metabolite. The aim of the present work has been the optimization of the in vitro culture conditions for callus induction of L. divaricata (Zigophyllaceae) as a potential production source of the metabolites with pharmaceutical importance. culture for obtaining active principles offers a possible alternative when thinking about the production of a secondary metabolite. The aim of the present work has been the optimization of the in vitro culture conditions for callus induction of L. divaricata (Zigophyllaceae) as a potential production source of the metabolites with pharmaceutical importance.