Variation in vinblastine production by Catharanthus roseus during in vivo and in vitro differentiation

Production of vinblastine, an anticancer agent, by Catharanthus roseus, increased as the seedlings matured, attaining a steady concentration after the plants become more than 3-month-old. Vinblastine could be detected in the callus lines established from different explants. As the callus differentiated multiple shoots, the vinblastine production increased rapidly, equalizing to that of in vivo seedlings of similar age. The high degree of differentiation and maturity in the tissues of Catharanthus was correlative to the increased vinblastine production, both in vivo and in vitro. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.