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Detection and identification ofPodophyllotoxin produced by cell cultures derived from podophyllum hexandrum royle
W van Uden1, N Pras, J F Visser
1Laboratory for Pharmacognosy, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 2, NL-9713 AW, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The phenylpropanoid derived lignan podophyllotoxin, occurring inPodophyllum species, is used as a starting compound for the chemical synthesis of the antitumour agents etoposide (VP-16-213) and teniposide (VM-26). At present, the availability of this lignan becomes increasingly limited. As an alternative source, cell cultures originating fromPodophyllum hexandrum Royle were initiated. Analysis of the cell extracts using different HPLC systems as well as TLC, indicated the presence of podophyllotoxin. After prepurification of the extracts by means of ITLC, the identity was confirmed by mass spectrometric analysis. Dark-grown cultures accumulated considerable higher amounts of podophyllotoxin in comparison with the light-grown cultures.
