Isolation and identification of berberine from cell cultures of Coptis chinensis.

Calli were formed by the young leaves of Coptis chinensis inoculated onto a 6,7-V solid medium containing 1.0-2.0 mg/L of 2,4-D and 0.1 mg/L of kinetin. The loose calli were chosen and transferred into a liquid medium and free cells and cell aggregates were obtained. Cell lines with a higher content of berberine were selected by irradiation of suspension culture and a plate-screening technique. After 35 subcultures, the selected cell lines were cultured in a larger quantity for the extraction of alkaloids. Yellow crystals were obtained from the extracts and identified as berberine by TCL, UV and IR absorption, and mass spectrography. They have the same molecular structure and anti-bacterium activities as the berberine obtained from natural plants.