Production of lignans in Forsythia intermedia cell cultures

Abstract

Callus and cell suspension cultures of Forsythia intermedia have been established and their capacity to produce lignans studied. Lignan production in both callus and cell suspension was markedly dependent on the culture medium used and not on the source of the original explant, although lignan patterns in the explants are different. Cell lines were established which synthesized either matairesinol 4′- O-glucoside or epipinoresinol 4′- O-glucoside as the major lignans. Cell suspension cultures rapidly metabolized exogenous lignans without producing detectable lignan transformation products.