Production of Podophyllotoxin

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.

For further information please 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