Quantification of Taxol and 10-Deacetyl Baccatin III in the Leaf and Cell Suspension Cultures of Two Taxus L. Species

  Taxanes are a family of diterpene alkaloids which is currently known as the most important anticancer compounds to suppress and inhibit cell growth, differentiation and proliferation in indefinitely known cancer cell lines. The most well recognized member of the taxane family is taxol (paclitaxel), a minor cytotoxic component derived originally from yew bark (Taxus brevifolia). 10-Deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB), which is a homolog of taxol, can be extracted at high yields from the needles of Taxus baccata and is currently considered the most appropriate precursor for semi-synthesizing taxol and its analogue, taxotere (docetaxel). The natural source of both compounds is the inner bark and needles of several Taxus species, especially T. baccata and T. brevifolia. Plant cell culture is an environmentally sustainable source of taxol and offers several advantages as it is not subjected to weather, season or contamination. The aim of the present study was to evaluate taxol and 10-DAB content of two Taxus species and their ability in production of both taxanes through cell culture. The plant materials of T. baccata and T. berevifolia were collected from Shahid Beheshti University (35° 48' N, 51° 23' E at an altitude of 1785 m) and botanical garden of Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj (35° 48' N, 50° 59' E at an altitude of 1238 m), respectively. Callus culture of both species was initiated from internodal segments on B5 medium supplemented with plant growth reaulators. Cell suspension culture was established on the medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L−1 naphtalene acetic acid (NAA) and 0.1 mg L−1 benzyl amino purine (BAP). Cell viability was determined by Evan’s blue staining test. After 21 days, the amount of taxol and 10-DAB was analysed by HPLC. The results showed that mother stocks of T. baccata and T. brevifolia contain 45 and 27 µg/g DW of taxol and 40 and 4 µg/g DW of 10-DAB, respectively. Cell growth was estimated by measuring fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW). Results showed that the maximum growth was reached after 21 days of cultivation. Cell cultures of T. baccata and T. brevifolia produced 540 and 20 µg/l taxol and 1 and 110 µg/l of 10-DAB, respectively. Taxol production in T. baccata cell culture was 26-fold higher than in T. berevifolia cell culture. As far as our literature survey could ascertain, growth and taxol production in T. baccata cell cultures have previously been reported. Although, T. baccata cells are more potent for the production of taxol, T. brevifolia cell culture can be considered for the production of 10-DAB, a homolog of taxol, as an appropriate precursor for semi-synthesizing taxol and its analogue, taxotere (docetaxel). However, it is essential to study and quantify the effect of selected key medium components on growth as well as product accumulation and strike a balance between the two to enhance the yield and productivity