Effect of a tertiary amine on alkaloid accumulation in Catharanthus roseus

The Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus, produces numerous indole alkaloids, several of which have important therapeutic activities. These secondary metabolites are among the most expensive drugs because of their low abundance in intact plants. We investigated the biotransformation of a synthetic product (N-(methoxycarbonylethyl)-N-[2-(1H-indol-3yl)-ethyl]-beta-methyl alaninate) in the roots and aerial parts of C. roseus cultivated in vitro, in order to stimulate de novo the biosynthesis of biologically active indole alkaloids. The results showed a large increase (90%) of ajmalicine in the roots whilst serpentine and yohimbine levels were unchanged. In the aerial parts, the synthetic product was recovered and the time courses of various alkaloids were unchanged. No new molecule was observed. The four alkaloids tested increased with plant age whilst yohimbine gradually deceased. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.