Review of abiotic and biotic elicitors’ roles in secondary metabolites biosynthesis of periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) G. Don)

Based on recent statistical survey, the cancer is the third important factor in Iran mortality. Vinblastine and vincristine alkaloids are dominantly biosynthesized in the aerial parts of periwinkle, broadly applied for cancer treatment. Therefore, over production of these alkaloids by using the biotechnological approaches is inevitable. Since the terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAS) biosynthesis pathway is adjustable, modification of underlying substrate and enzymes concentration by biotic and abiotic elicitors are important approaches for overproduction of these metabolites. Abiotic and biotic are induced the immune systems of periwinkle and subsequently increased the biosynthesis and accumulation of vinblastine and vincristine. So this study we reviewed and discussed the impacts of different abiotic and biotic elicitors on terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAS) biosynthesis and consequent secondary metabolites over production. Based on our knowledge this is the first study on the reviewing of the different elicitors on vinblastine and vincristine and it will be more helpful in the future studies.