Prenylated Flavanone Production in Callus Cultures of Sophoraßavescens var. angustifolia

Abstract

Callus cultures of Sophora favescens var. angustifolia established on Murashige-Skoog medium containing 1 μм 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1 μм kinetin produced the prenylated flavanones (2S)-5,7,2′,4′-tetrahydroxy-8-lavandulylflavanone (sophoraflavanone G) and (25)-7,2′,4′-trihydroxy-8-lavandulylflavanone (lehmannin). In addition, maackiain and its 3-O-β-glucoside (trifolirhizin) were also produced in the callus. Up on transfer to White’s medium or M9 medium, the content of prenylated flavanones, in particular lehmannin, was increased, whereas that of pterocarpans was decreased. Time-course experiments indicated that the production of pterocarpans was closely related with cell growth. On the other hand, an inverse relationship existed between cell growth and the production of prenylated flavanones.