The effect of methyljasmonate elicitor on tropan alkaloid production in hairy roots of Atropa belladonna

The parasympatholytic tropane alkaloids, Atropine and Scopolamine, accumulated in Atropa belladonna, are of great interest for the pharmaceutical industry. In this research, Atropa belladonna transformed hairy roots were produced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4 mediated transformation. Effects of different concentrations of methyl jasmonate (0, 150 and 300 Micro molar) were investigated on production of Atropine and Scopolamine in 24 hours treatment. Then the contents of two tropane alkaloids, Atropine and Scopolamine, were assayed by HPLC method. The tropane alkaloids contents were shown to be significantly increased in transformed hairy roots. Results showed Atropine and Scopolamine content in transformed hairy roots reached respectively from 0.12 to 1.715 and 0.0195 to 0.43 of mg in 100 mg of dry weight. Methyl jasmonate dramatically enhanced both tropane alkaloids, Atropine and Scopolamine. Tropane alkaloids content increased in 300 Mµ concentration of methyl jasmonat in comparison with 150 Mµ concentration and control treatment. In conclusion, it is suggested that, hairy root can be used as a replacement of plants in further studies and for tropane alkaloids production in economical and commercial scales.