Chem. Pharm. Bull., 53(7),780-782, July 2005

Regular Articles

Selective Enhancement of Scopadulcic Acid B Production in the Cultured Tissues of Scoparia dulcis by Methyl Jasmonate

Kasidimoko Marguerite NKEMBO, Jung-Bum LEE, and Toshimitsu HAYASHI^*

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University; 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. * To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: hayashi9@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp

The effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on isoprenoid production were evaluated in cultured tissues of Scoparia dulcis. It was found that MeJA suppressed the accumulation of chlorophylls, carotenoids, phytol and β-sitosterol in the tissues. MeJA, however, remarkably enhanced the production of scopadulcic acid B (SDB) , with 10 μM being optimal observed concentration for stimulation of SDB production. The maximum concentration of SDB was observed 6 d after MeJA treatment.

Key words scopadulcic acid B; Scoparia dulcis; methyl jasmonate; diterpene; biosynthesis