Anthracene derivatives in tissue culture of Cassia senna L.

Abstract

Abstract Tissue cultures from Cassia senna L. have been established. Chryso-phanol, physcion, emodin, rhein and aloe emodin have been identified in the oxidative-hydrolysate of the callus. Chrysophanol was the major component. With the exception of physcion all of these compounds were found in the glycosidic as well as the free form. The concentration in the dried callus of the free anthraquinones was 0·8% w/w and of the glycosidic (combined) anthraquinones 0·4% w/w. These results and the absence of sennosides in the cultures emphasize the variation in the anthracene derived constituents of the derived callus and the parent plant.