Biochemical and Biotechnology
- Production of Podophyllotoxin An Anti-Cancer Drug,
By Plant Cell Fermentation
Introduction
Anti cancer drug podophyllotoxin is currently extracted
from the roots of the whole plant Podophyllum hexandrum
(an endangered species) which could lead to its extinction
in due course of time. Further the plant grows only
in the Himalayan region. Mass propagation of the plant
tissue culture could provide a solution. to the problem
and also the much needed drug. The root explants of
the germinated seedlings of P.hexandrum were used successfully
to develop the callus as well as the suspension culture
of the cells. The effect of the culture and environmental
parameters has been studied to produce the drug at high
conc. in the suspension culture. The application of
fed batch culture strategy has further enhanced the
productivity of the drug in lab - scale bioreactor.
Special Features:The
drug can be produced by fermentation process using plant
cells instead of traditional way of cutting the whole
plant and extracting the drug from it.
Prospective
Users: Drug company Keywords:Podophyllotoxin,
Podophyllum hexandrum, plant cell fermentation
Type of Technology:
Process
Glossary: Podophyllum
hexandrum - A plant species belonging to Berberidanceae
family. It grows at an altitude of about 4000 meters
in the Himalayan range. In the naturalplant, it synthesizes
the anti-cancer drug, podophyllotoxin, in its roots;
Fermentation- A process which employs biological agents
(microorganisms, plants, animals or enzymes) for production
of primary or secondary metabolites (alcohols, organic
acids, antibiotics, enzymes, pharmaceuticals, alkaloids,
flavours etc.) in a fermenter/bioreactor under optimal
culture conditions.
Contact:
The Director
Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
Tel : 91-011-26597167, 26857762, 26581013
Fax : 91-011-26851169
E-mail : mdfitt@gmail.com
