Production of carbazole alkaloids through callus and suspension cultures in Clausena harmandiana

Carbazole alkaloids are major constituents in Clausena spp. and exhibit a wide range of biological activities. The roots of Clausena harmandiana are a rich source of active carbazole alkaloids. However, its roots take several years to grow to be able to harvest. To obtain an alternative source of carbazole alkaloids, in vitro callus cultures of C. harmandiana were induced, and the formation of two active carbazole alkaloids was investigated. The effects of precursor, concentrations of sucrose, elicitors and light were studied to improve carbazole alkaloids formation. In this study, light had a strong effect on the formation of both carbazole alkaloids. The highest yields of clausine K and 7-methoxymukonal were 4.74 ± 0.26 and 0.92 ± 0.04 mg/g DW, respectively, which have more than 10-fold found in intact roots. According to the results of this study, C. harmandiana callus cultures can be used as an alternative source of carbazole alkaloids for additional biological studies.