Tissue Culture of Ungernia Victoris Vved. ex Artjush. (Amaryllidaceae J.ST.-HIL.) and Ptelea Trifoliata L. (Rutaceae JUSS.) as the Sources of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, 1501 Chunyang-ro, Bonghwa 36209, Republic of Korea

2 Tashkent Botanical Garden named after acad. F.N. Rusanov of the Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 232 Durmon yoli str., Tashkent 100140, Uzbekistan

3 Kokand State Pedagogical Institute, 23 Turon str., Kokand 150700, Uzbekistan

4 Tashkent Medical Academy, 2 Farabi str., Tashkent 100109, Uzbekistan

Abstract

Several alkaloids extracted from diverse plant species across different botanical groups are recognized for their acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory properties. Among these, Ungernia victoris (UV), a rare endemic species from the western spurs of Pamir-Alay, is a significant source of galanthamine - a compound used in drugs for treating early- to mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease, poliomyelitis, and other neurological disorders. Similarly, Ptelea trifoliata (PT), a North American species widely cultivated in botanical gardens, demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-renal fibrosis, and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory activities. This study aims to establish in vitro propagation protocols for U. victoris Vved. ex Artjush. (Amaryllidaceae J.St.-Hil.) and P. trifoliata L. (Rutaceae Juss.) as sources of acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting compounds. Using tissue culture techniques, including callus induction and regeneration, alkaloid biosynthesis was evaluated. Callus cultures of UV exhibited the highest galanthamine content, reaching 5.10% DW in a medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin, whereas in vitro-regenerated leaves contained lower levels (1.41% DW) and bulbs lacked galanthamine entirely. Naturally collected and botanical garden samples showed lower galanthamine levels, while seeds contained moderate amounts. The total alkaloid content in UV leaves collected from natural habitats reached up to 0.5%, comprising galanthamine (0.14–0.21%) and lycorine (0.059%), while the bulbs contained up to 0.96%, with galanthamine (0.24%) and lycorine (0.31%). For PT, callus cultures produced the highest kokusaginine content (1.12% DW) in Murashige & Skoog medium with 2,4-D and kinetin, surpassing levels in botanical garden samples (0.54–0.78% DW). However, kokusaginine biosynthesis was suppressed in in vitro-regenerated plants, where it was undetectable. This study demonstrates that callus cultures are a reliable and efficient source of galanthamine and kokusaginine, highlighting the potential of tissue culture methods to enhance the production of acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting alkaloids from medicinal plants.

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References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 14, Issue 4
July and August 2025
Pages 311-320

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