Study the chemical stimuli effects of Methyl Jasmonate and Salicylic acid on stimulation of Hypericin production in Hypericum (Hypericum perforatum L.)

Aim and Hypericin is a photosensitive Naphthodianthrones with photodynamic activities. In recent years, the pharmacology studies have shown that extracts and compounds obtained from Hypericum perforatum have some properties such as: antidepressants, anti-cancer, anti-antioxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial and recently, there is great attention to this herb due to its effect for treatment of AIDS. In this work, the chemical stimuli effects of methyl-jasmonate and salicylic acid in medium stage (MS) on Hypericin production stimulation during a 42-day period was examined.
­­Material and Stem and leaf explants were isolated from planted sterile seedlings in medium and were transferred to MS condition including methyl-jasmonate stimulus with concentration of (0, 50, 100, 150, 250 and 500 µicro-Molar) and salicylic acid stimuli with concentration of (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 400 µicro-Molar) and then were kept in temperature about 21 ± 3 °C in 16 hours lighting and 8 hours dark light condition. The methanol extracts of this plant were analyzed with HLPC apparatus for studying the changes in Hypericin amount.
­­ The results showed that the concentration of 100µM methyl-­jasmonate produces more Hypericin (%34, 66) than other producers. Also these results showed that salicylic acid stimuli have no tangible effect on Hypericin production and using concentrations more than 100­µM of salicylic acid causes destruction of plant tissue cultures of Hypericum perforatum.
The chemical stimulus, methyl -jasmonate is more effective in Hypericum production of plant Hypericin tissue culture. The chemical irritant effect of salicylic acid did not significantly increase the amount Hypericin in the plant Hypericum.