Tropane alkaloids of Atropa belladonna L.: in vitro production and pharmacological profile

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of the present work was to study the production of tropane alkaloids by in vitro cultures of Atropa belladonna L. and to evaluate the anticonvulsant, antinociceptive, motor incoordination, and antioxidant activities of both in vitro and original plant extracts.BackgroundA. belladonna is a very important medicinal plant with multipurpose therapeutic effects. The yield of its alkaloid content is very low, which makes it difficult for industrial application.Materials and methodsMurashige and Skoog media were used for callus and plant differentiation induction from leaf explants of A. belladonna L. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of alkaloids was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography. The anticonvulsant activity was screened by the pentylenetetrazole seizure test. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated by adopting the writhing test, whereas motor incoordination was evaluated using the rotarod test. In addition, antioxidant activity was estimated using the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging test.ResultsCallus and differentiated plants were successfully induced in Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with growth regulators. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed the production of higher concentrations of tropane alkaloids in differentiated plants than in the original plant. Anticonvulsant and antinociceptive activities, motor incoordination, and the antioxidant effect of callus extracts were much higher than those of the original plant leaf extract.ConclusionPlant tissue culture could be considered as an efficient and alternative source of continuous supply of tropane alkaloids with potent anticonvulsant, antinociceptive, motor incoordination, and antioxidant activities. It is also a powerful tool for producing A. belladonna strain with a high tropane alkaloid content.