The content of hypericin and pseudohypericin in cell cultures of Hypericum perforatum

Morphogenesis, regeneration, and the ability for hypericin synthesis were studied in callus tissues and suspension cultures derived from Hypericum perforatum L. stamens. The initial callus was obtained on an agar medium containing macro- and micronutrients according to MS, BA (10(-6) M), and alpha-NAA (10(-7) M). The contents of hypericin and pseudohypericin were measured at different stages of morphogenesis and regeneration. Hypericin and pseudohypericin were purified by successive extraction with acetone and methanol. Multiple multicellular structures, hypericin cisterns, were found to develop in newly-formed regenerated leaves, with the total content of hypericin plus pseudohypericin in differentiated leaves being significantly higher than that in intact tissues. It is concluded that the total content of hypericin and pseudohypericin in different cell structures correlates with the degree of cell differentiation and attains its highest value during leaf morphogenesis.