Stimulation of Indole Alkaloid Content in Vanadium-Treated Catharanthus roseus Suspension Cultures.

Addition of vanadyl sulphate to cell suspensions of CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS was found to increase ajmalicine, catharanthine, and tryptamine levels. Up to 500 microg/g dry weight catharanthine and 131.0 microg/g dry weight ajmalicine were detected in vanadyl sulphate-treated cells. This represents an approximate increase of 50% over control levels. This stimulation was found to be dependent upon the concentration of vanadyl sulphate administered and upon the cell age. High tryptamine levels were not correlated with increased tryptophan decarboxylase activity. Vanadium content of the cells was found to reach a maximum within 1 min following vanadyl sulphate treatment as measured by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis.