Effect of growth regulators on asiaticoside production in whole plant cultures ofCentella asiatica (L) urban

We investigated the effects of growth regulators on whole-plant cultures derived from nodes ofCentella asiatica. A B5 liquid medium including 0.01 mg L-1 2,4-D resulted in decreased growth and asiaticoside production. Among the cytokinins tested (TDZ, BA, zeatin, and kinetin), TDZ was the best supplement for the promotion of asiaticoside biosynthesis. To directly estimate this effect, we measured asiaticoside content in the leaf, the main organ for synthesis. The addition of TDZ did not affect asiaticoside accumulation. Nevertheless, our results suggest that treatment with exogenous TDZ may enhance the production of asiaticoside in cultures simply through an increase in biomass.