Catharanthus roseus cell cultures: Growth, alkaloid synthesis and antidiabetic activity

Suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus were established from three different cell lines namely, CWS, CWS‐A and CWS‐G on MS medium supplemented with 2,4‐D (0.4 ppm). The three cell lines were cultured in growth and production media. Cell line CWS grown in production medium showed a PCV (packed cell volume) of 70% in 21 days. The cells synthesized 0.10% ajmalicine in the production medium and the cell extract caused a 71% decrease in blood sugar in diabetes induced rats. In growth medium the cells showed a PCV of 97% in 21 days and produced trace amounts of alkaloids. The cell extracts did not show any antidiabetic activity. The CWS‐A cell line showed a PCV of 98% in 21 days and synthesized 0.036% ajmalicine in production medium. The extracts had no hypoglycaemic effect. In growth medium the cells showed a 98% PCV in 21 days and produced trace amounts of alkaloids. The cell extract caused an 86% decrease in blood sugar. The CWS‐G cell line grown in flasks failed to synthesize significant levels of alkaloids both in growth and production media. The cell extracts did not show any antidiabetic activity.