Studying the Possible Biotransformation of the Cytotoxic Diterpenoid Paclitaxel Using Jatropha Curcas Cell Suspension Culture

Abstract

Aims: To establish a cell suspension culture of Jatropha curcas, family Euphorbiaceae for the biotransformation of the diterpenoid anti-cancer compound paclitaxel. Study Design: The development and maintenance of callus lines from the leaves and petioles of J. curcas and the study of the culture growth curve followed by the inoculation of the callus with paclitaxel as the substrate and monitoring of the culture viability as well as substrate biotransformation. Methodology: Explants from the leaves and petioles of J. curcas were prepared and placed on MS supplemented media for callus induction and maintained by regular sub-culturing until a stable callus line was achieved. Some of the callus tissue was transferred to MS liquid medium to produce cell suspension cultures. Three sets of cell suspension cultures were established for 5, 10 and 14 days respectively under the same conditions. Paclitaxel (5 mg) was administrated to each flask and incubated for 3, 6 and 10 days. Results: A callus line of J. curcas leaves and petioles was maintained successfully over a period of two consecutive years without any change in growth rate. A stable cell suspension culture was developed using the obtained callus and maximum increase in fresh weight was reached on day 21 which was 5-6 fold over initial fresh weight. The cell suspension cultures were inoculated with the diterpenoid paclitaxel (5 mg) at different time intervals through the growth cycle phases. The incubation of paclitaxel proved that the cell culture biotransformation capability could not affect the paclitaxel molecular structure and that the applied dose of paclitaxel was not cytotoxic to the cell cultures up to 18 days of incubation. Conclusion: This is the first report of a biotransformation trial using J. curcas cell culture and results obtained should be considered when using J. curcas cell line for terpenoid biotransformation.