Cell and Tissue Journal

Abstract Aim: Artemisinin, an outstanding cumpound in genus Artemisia, is the most important anti malaria medicine. Therefore, plant cell culture of Artemisia aucheri Bioss was established and production of artemisinin was studied on plant, callus, and cell suspension culture.
Material and Methods: Artemisia aucheri aerial parts and seeds were obtained. Seedling was prepared and transferred on solid MS medium containing different growth regulators and callus was established. Fresh callus was transferred to liquid MS medium and suspension culture was obtained. For detection of artemisinin, the dichloromethanolic extract of callus, suspension and seeds of the plant was analysed by TLC and GC methods. Biotransformation was studied by feeding cholesterol, bisabolol and artemisia ketone to suspension culture.
Results: MS medium supplemented with kinetin (0.5 mg/l), 2, 4-D (0.5 mg/l), NAA (1 mg/l) and BA (0.25 mg/l), NAA (0.05 mg/l) was suitable for establishment of callus. Light showed positive effect on calli growth. No artemisinin was detected on plant aerial part. It seems, however, that callus and suspension culture of A. aucheri produced artemisinin. Also, Cholesterol, bisabolol and artemisinin keton feeding did not influence artemisinin production. Therefore, it seems these precursors are not proper for biotransformation experiments. 
Conclusion: Despite of undetected artemisinin in aerial parts of the A. aucheri, the production of artemisinin using new methods such as in vitro culture of A. aucheri is a promising result.