Effect of phenylalanine on Taxol production and antioxidant activity of extracts of suspension-cultured hazel (Corylus avellana L.) cells.

Taxol is produced by a few microorganisms and plants such as yew (Taxus sp.). Recent researches have shown that hazel (Corylus avellana L.) is also able to produce Taxol. In the present study, effects of different concentrations of phenylalanine (Phe) on the production of Taxol, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxic effects of extracts of suspension-cultured hazel cells were investigated. The cells were treated with different concentrations of Phe on day 7 of subculture and were harvested on day 14. The results showed that the amounts of Taxol and antioxidant activity were increased by increasing the phenylalanine supply. Interestingly, the cytotoxic effects of hazel cell extract were even stronger than that of pure Taxol (standard), suggesting hazel cell extract as a novel and suitable probe for treating human cancer. Application of phenylalanine to hazel cells exaggerates their effects.