Silybum marianum in vitro

Overview

Callus and suspension cultures of Silybum marianum were derived and the growth and productioncharacteristics were assayed. The maximal production of flavonolignans was achieved at thebeginning of cultivation, i.e. on day 10 after inoculation in MS medium with α-NAA and on day 15after inoculation in MS medium with 2.4-D with continuous growth of the culture. The content ofsilymarin in the plant drug was 3.05%, in the in vitro culture it was just tenths of percents. TLCanalysis revealed that the spectrum of flavonolignans of the drug differed from the spectrum offlavonolignans produced by tissue cultures. No differences in the spectra of flavonolignans producedby the callus and suspension cultures were observed. The test for antioxidative activity against theDPPH-radical demonstrated marked antioxidative properties of substances produced by the cultureof Silybum marianum.

Key words:
Silybummarianum– callus and suspension cultures – flavonolignans – antioxidativeactivity