[Investigations on harpagophytum.]

Area of Science:

• Plant biochemistry
• Phytochemistry
• Plant cell culture

Context:

• Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw) is a plant known for its medicinal properties.
• Callus cultures are often used to study plant metabolism and secondary metabolite production.
• Understanding metabolic differences between in vivo and in vitro plant tissues is crucial for optimizing cultivation and production.

Purpose:

• To compare the primary and secondary metabolism of naturally growing Harpagophytum procumbens roots with its callus cultures.
• To identify key differences in the accumulation of specific metabolites, such as harpagoside and carbohydrates.

Summary:

• Significant metabolic differences were observed between H. procumbens roots and callus.
• Harpagoside, a major constituent in roots, was entirely absent in callus cultures.
• Stachyose, a primary reserve carbohydrate in roots, was found in minor amounts in callus, with fructose being the predominant sugar.

Impact:

• This study highlights the metabolic plasticity of H. procumbens under different growth conditions.
• The absence of harpagoside in callus may impact its use for direct production of this compound.
• Findings provide insights into the regulation of primary and secondary metabolism in plant cell cultures.