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Title: A COMPARATIVE SURVEY OF HYPERICUM PLANTS AS SOURCES OF THE HYPERICINS AND HYPERFORIN

Author
item KIRAKOSYAN, A - YEREVAN STATE U, ARMENIA
item Gibson, Donna
item SIRVENT, TARA - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item VARDAPETYAN, H - YEREVAN STATE U, ARMENIA

Submitted to: Phytochemical Society of Europe and North America Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/17/2001
Publication Date: 6/29/2001
Citation: KIRAKOSYAN, A., GIBSON, D.M., SIRVENT, T., VARDAPETYAN, H. A COMPARATIVE SURVEY OF HYPERICUM PLANTS AS SOURCES OF THE HYPERICINS AND HYPERFORIN. PHYTOCHEMICAL SOCIETY OF EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA PROCEEDINGS. 2001.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Hypericum perforatum L. (family Hypericaceae) is considered to be an important source of phytopharmaceuticals, which occur in the aerial parts of the plant. The most important constituents are the dianthrones, hypericin and pseudohypericin, and the bicyclic tetraketone, hyperforin. Since much of the market is supplied from wildcrafting, alternative ways for increasing yield of active constituents via field cultivation or plant cell biotechnology with elite germplasm, seem to be promising approaches. Our strategy focuses on developing cultures from elite germplasm and optimizing production strategies for the important plant constituents through genetic and culture manipulations. We analyzed the production of hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin from aerial portions (fruits, stems, flowers, calyx) of 16 genetically distinct H. perforatum populations from Armenia (Old World) and the U.S. (New World). Using HPLC, hypericins and hyperforin and related compounds were quantitated using a rapid, isocratic elution method on a modified phenyl column as described. Several regional populations showed high levels of the phytochemicals of interest and have been used to generate meristem and cell cultures. High-producing plants, calli, or cell clones obtained from single cells have been selected for analysis. These lines have been used to assess the effects of media constituents, including the use of elicitors, on the production of hypericins and hyperforin. This study provides a basis for examining wild populations based on phytochemical analysis and to identify parameters to enhance production.