title: Elicitation of pharmacologically active substances in an intact medical plant.
abstract: The quality of medical plants used for the production of galenics or pharmacologically useful compounds is usually assessed by the content of biologically active compounds. Because most of these plants are grown in fields, this study focused on stimulation of active compounds by in vivo elicitation. Foliar application of elicitors on the immunostimulating medical plant purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea L. Moench.) grown on soil was used to increase the content of biologically active phenolics. Natural plant stress mediators and their derivatives (acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, and methyl salicylate) as well as newly introduced biocompatible metal elicitor [titanium(IV) ascorbate] were chosen as active components of foliar sprays. A tremendous increase of phenolics (up to 10 times compared to control) and stimulation of the biomass yield were achieved. Tuning of organ specificity by modulation of the concentration of elicitor was also observed. This methodology represents a convenient alternative to cell suspension or hydroponic cultures being applicable in wide agricultural practice.
authors: Department of Agroecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
authors: Stanislav
authors: S
authors: Kuzel
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Vydra
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Triska
authors: Nadezda
authors: N
authors: Vrchotova
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Hruby
authors: Petr
authors: P
authors: Cigler
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D020900:Echinacea / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D012431:Rutin / Q000032:analysis; D012459:Salicylates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014025:Titanium / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D002109:Caffeic Acids; D010636:Phenols; D012459:Salicylates; D012431:Rutin; D014025:Titanium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid