Propagación y conservación de Castilleja tenuiflora Benth. ("hierba del cáncer") a través de cultivo in vitro

Guadalupe Salcedo–Morales¹, Gabriel Rosas–Romero¹, Nayeli Nabor–Correa², Kalina Bermúdez–Torres¹, Alma R. López–Laredo¹ & Gabriela Trejo–Tapia¹

¹ Departamento de Biotecnología, Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CEPROBI–IPN), P.O. Box 24, 62730, Yautepec, Morelos, México. Correo electrónico: gttapia@ipn.mx

² Universidad Politécnica del Estado de Morelos, Carretera Federal Cuernavaca–Cuautla Km.14, Col. Lomas del Texcal, 62574, Jiutepec, Morelos, México.

Recibido: 14 enero 2009 ]]> Aceptado: 12 agosto 2009

Abstract

We undertook this study to (1) evaluate an in vitro procedure for plantlet regeneration of Castilleja tenuiflora Benth. (Scrophulariaceae) from axillary buds and (2) induce callugenesis and organogenesis through the manipulation of explant type, culture media and plant growth regulators. An efficient propagation protocol for in vitro multiplication and plantlet regeneration of C. tenuiflora using axillary buds of wild plants was developed. Shoot multiplication was induced from axillary buds in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.2 mg L^–1 BAP and 0.1 mg L^–1 NAA with an efficiency of 33%. Shoot multiplication and elongation were achieved in one step using 0.1 mg L^–1 IBA and 0.25 mg L^–1 BAP. After 14 days, an average of four shoots per explant was observed. For rooting, IBA was increased to 1.0 mg L^–1 and BAP was excluded. Hyperhydricity was not observed and 88% of the shoots rooted. From one axillary bud, 250 plantlets were produced within eight weeks. To induce callugenesis and organogenesis, explants (leaves and internodes) from plantlets were excised and inoculated into MS, B5 and NN culture media in combination with NAA (0–10 µM) and kinetin (0–0.5 µM). In general, rhizogenesis was the main in vitro response (up to 100%) followed by shoot formation (5–50%) and, finally, callugenesis (2–35%). Internodes were more competent than leaves for both callugenesis and organogenesis, along with the fact that leaf explants oxidized easily. Rhizogenesis depended on exogenous NAA, but auxin requirement varied according to the culture medium and type of explant used. On the basis of our results, conditions for callugenesis and organogenesis induction of C. tenuiflora can be recommended: a) callus–internode, 0.1 µM NAA and B5 medium; b) rhizogenesis–0.1 µM NAA and NN medium; and c) shoots–internode, 0.1 µM NAA and MS medium. Results of the present study show the feasibility of using in vitro culture to propagate and conserve germplasm of the 'cancer herb' C. tenuiflora.

Key words: medicinal herb, micropropagation, organogenesis, Scrophulariaceae, shoot multiplication.

Resumen

La presente investigación tuvo por objetivos: 1) evaluar un procedimiento in vitro para la regeneración de plántulas de la "hierba del cáncer" Castilleja tenuiflora Benth. (Scrophulariaceae) a partir de yemas axilares e, 2) inducir callogénesis y organogénesis utilizando diferentes tipos de explante, medios de cultivo y reguladores de crecimiento. Se desarrolló un procedimiento eficiente para la multiplicación in vitro de brotes y la regeneración de plántulas de C. tenuiflora utilizando yemas axilares. Este método consta de una etapa de inducción de brotes (eficiencia del 33%) en medio de cultivo Murashige y Skoog (MS) complementado con 0.2 mg L^–1 BAP y 0.1 mg L^–1 ANA. Posteriormente, la multiplicación de los brotes y su elongación se lograron en un mismo paso utilizando 0.1 mg L^–1 AIB y 0.25 mg L^–1 BAP. Cada 14 días se generan en promedio, cuatro brotes por explante. Para el enraizamiento de los brotes se utilizó 1.0 mg L^–1 AIB sin BAP. A partir de una yema axilar, es posible obtener 250 plántulas en un periodo de ocho semanas. Para inducir la callogénesis y la organogénesis, se inocularon explantes de hojas e internodo, en los medios de cultivo MS, B5 y NN en combinación con ANA (0–10 µM) y cinetina (0–0.5 µM). En general, la principal respuesta fue la rizogénesis (hasta el 100%) seguida de la formación de brotes (5–50%) y por último, la callogénesis (2–35%). Los internodos fueron más competentes que las hojas para formar callos y órganos; por otro lado, los explantes de hoja se oxidaron fácilmente. La rizogénesis fue dependiente de la adición exógena de ANA, pero los requerimientos de esta auxina variaron según el medio de cultivo y el tipo de explante. De acuerdo con los resultados, se pueden recomendar condiciones para la inducción de callos y órganos de C. tenuiflora: a) callos–internodo, 0.1 µM ANA y medio B5; b) rizogénesis–0.1 µM ANA y medio NN; y c) brotes–internodo, 0.1 µM ANA y medio MS. Los resultados de esta investigación muestran la factibilidad de utilizar el cultivo in vitro para propagar y conservar germoplasma de la "hierba del cáncer" C. tenuiflora.

Palabras clave: hierba medicinal, micropropagación, multiplicación de brotes, organogénesis, Scrophulariaceae.

Plants are sources of biologically active compounds that are effective against several diseases such as cancer or AIDS. Their study has recently been renewed because of interest in these products and increasing demand as pharmaceuticals. According to the World Health Organization (2000), > 80% of the population in developing countries depend on traditional medicine for their primary health needs. Folk medicine has also expanded globally and is now used in those countries where conventional medicine is the first option of the national health system. Marketing of medicinal products is estimated at several billion dollars, making standardization and regulation of these products an important focus. Evaluation of safety and efficacy of medicinal products includes issues such as identification of the plant species, ethnobotanical research, establishment of harvest/cultivation conditions and clinical trials, among others (WHO, 2000).

Mexico is acknowledged for its high biodiversity and ancient traditional knowledge for its application as a health benefit. Mexican flora comprise about 30 000 species and >10% have been used in traditional medicine (Almaguer, 2001; Betancourt and Gutiérrez, 1999). Despite our long–standing herbal tradition and biological potential, scientific research focusing on Mexican medical plants remains inadequate. Plant species commonly known as "cancer herbs" are recommended by folk medicine practitioners to treat tumors and related diseases. There are at least 12 species known under this name belonging to the families Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Sterculiaceae, Lythraceae and Scrophulariaceae (Martínez, 1994). However, in medicinal plant markets of central Mexico, one of the most "in demand" cancer herbs is Castilleja tenuiflora Benth. (Scrophulariaceae) (Rosas, 2007).

Castilleja tenuiflora is a wild native perennial herb growing in the mountains and hills of Mexico between elevations of 1300 and 2 250 m (Holmgren, 1976). Within Mexican traditional medicine, its Aztec name is "Atzoyatl" and it has been used since the 16th century (Bejar et al., 2000). The whole plant is largely prescribed to heal tumors (Graham et al., 2000) and to treat sterility, gastrointestinal disorders and cirrhosis (Martínez, 1994; Bejar et al., 2000) but little scientific research has been performed on this species. C. tenuiflora accumulates iridoids such as aucubin and bartsioside derivatives in the aerial part of the plant (Jiménez et al., 1995) and in the root (Rosas, 2007). Iridoids, which are chemical compounds derived from terpenes, are restricted to some plant families (Jensen & Schripsema, 2002) and display proven biological activities such as antitumoral (Gálvez et al., 2005; Hung et al., 2008), cytotoxic (Nguyen et al., 2005), immunostimulant (Mathad et al., 1998) and photo–protective (Ho et al., 2005). The presence of these compounds in C. tenuiflora may explain its medicinal uses.

Other species of Castilleja, e.g., the North American C. integra and C. miniata, accumulate similar iridoids (Arslanian et al., 1985; Mead & Stermitz, 1993). However, a high degree of variability on concentration and iridoid profile among individuals and parts of the plant has been observed (Arslanian et al., 1985; Stermitz & Harris, 1987). This species grows in habitats exposed to disturbances such as fire or clearance and is indiscriminately harvested commercially. These two facts resulted in a decrease of natural populations. It is important to propose alternatives for obtaining homogeneous products and to establish protocols for propagation and germplasm conservation of C. tenuiflora that may help to relieve pressure on wild populations and that will eventually serve as a source of active compounds or for the elaboration of medicinal products. Biotechnological systems of C. tenuiflora may be useful for these purposes, added to the possibility of investigating its chemical constitution and secondary metabolite biosynthesis.

Castilleja tenuiflora is not cultivated and information on its natural propagation is lacking in the literature. Other species of the genus such as C. levisecta (Lawrence, 2005), C. scabrida or C. miniata (Meyer and Carlson, 2004) reproduce by seeds. However, seeds are highly dormant at harvest, germination is slow, emergence is non–uniform and seedlings are very small and fragile. Moreover, reports of other species of Castilleja suggest that the hemiparasitic nature may be an obstacle for its cultivation because this genus relies on a root connection with a host plant as a source of inorganic and organic nutrients as well as water (Meyer and Carlson, 2004). Therefore, dormancy of seeds combined with the lack of a host plant may be limiting for seed propagation. Axillary bud culture represents a useful technique for the rapid multiplication of recalcitrant species with the advantage of producing individuals identical to mother plants. This technique has been successful for some Scrophulariaceae such as Bacopa monniera (Tiwari et al., 2001) and Isoplexis canariensis (Arrebola et al., 1997).

Biotechnological systems such as callus or organ cultures are also appropriate for germplasm conservation and propagation. It is known that among the main factors influencing in vitro responses are explant type, culture medium and plant growth regulators. In this study, biotechnological research on C. tenuiflora considered two approaches: (1) evaluation of an in vitro procedure for plantlet regeneration through axillary buds and (2) induction of callugenesis and organogenesis through the manipulation of explant type, culture medium and plant growth regulators.

METHODS

Plant material

Germination tests

Germination was tested in two ways: 1) filter paper and 2) solid substrate. In both cases, germination (%) was recorded every day for 30 days and calculated as the ratio of germinated seeds in relation to the total number. Capsules were surface sterilized with ethanol 70% (v/v) at different times (0, 30 and 60 sec) and washed with sterile deionized water for 30 sec. Seeds were considered to have germinated when the radicle penetrated the seed coat.

For germination on filter paper, seeds were carefully removed from the capsules. Two batches of 100 seeds were placed on wet filter paper (Whatman 41) in Drigalski dishes (15–150 mm) and incubated in the dark at 25°C. Filter paper was kept moist with sterilized distilled water (20 ml each third day).

For the solid substrate germination, three kinds of substrates were used: 1) tepojalturba (1:1), 2) vermicompost (produced by earthworm species Eisenia foetida, Eisenia hortensis, among others) and 3) soil from the site of collection. Seeds were placed in 200–pot trays filled with the sterile substrate. Five seeds were placed in each pot for a total of 2000 seeds (two trays). Seeds were incubated in a growth chamber at 25 ± 2°C under darkness, and substrate was kept moist with deionized water. Extreme care was taken to avoid damage to seedlings. In vitro procedure for plantlet regeneration from axillary buds

Axillary buds with leaves were surface sterilized with commercial soap solution (1% w/v) for 2 min followed by 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min without agitation and done in a laminar flow cabinet. Buds were washed three times (5 min each) with deionized sterile water and soaked in ethanol 70% (v/v) and, finally, sprayed with a solution of the fungicide benomyl (0.1% w/v). Leaves were excised and the axillary buds of ~0.5 cm were placed into shoot induction medium (SIM) consisting of MS (Murashige and Skoog, 1962) salts with 30 g L^–1 sucrose, 0.9 mg L^–1 thiamine, 0.5 mg L^–1 folic acid, 0.05 mg L^–1 biotin and, as growth regulators, 0.2 mg L^–1 bencylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.1 mg L^–1 naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (Ventura et al., 2003). pH of the medium was adjusted to 5.8 and solidified with 0.8% Bacto agar (w/v) before autoclaving at 15 lb in² for 15 min. Buds were placed individually in a container with 20 mL of SIM (n = 39). The experiment was performed twice. The frequency of buds forming shoots (%) was measured after 30 days. Throughout the procedure, the cultures were maintained in a growth room at 25 ± 2°C under 16 h photoperiod with illumination of 270 µmol m^–2 s^–1.

For multiplication and elongation, shoots were transferred to shoot elongation medium (SEM) consisting of MS medium with 0.1 mg L^–1 of indole butyric acid (IBA), 0.25 mg L^–1 BAP (Hisano et al., 2004) and 0.8% Bacto agar (w/v). Shoots were then transferred to root induction medium (RIM) with MS salts, 1 mg L^–1 IBA and 0.8% Bacto agar (w/v) (Tiwari et al., 2001). MS medium without plant growth regulators was used as a control. As was done previously, pH was adjusted to 5.8. Multiplication rate and rooting (%) were determined after 14 days for three successive subcultures.

Induction of callugenesis and organo–genesis

Explant type, culture media and NAA concentration

To evaluate the influence of culture medium, explant type, and NAA concentration on in vitro responses, callugenesis (formation of callus) and organogenesis (formation of shoots or roots), internodes and leaf explants (~0.5 cm length) were excised from 14–day–old in vitro plantlets and placed in containers with 25 mL (five explants in each of the four containers) containing one of the following culture media: MS, B5 (Gamborg et al., 1968) and Nitsch & Nitsch (NN, 1969) supplemented with 3% (w/v) sucrose, 0.8% (w/v) Bacto agar and the following concentrations of NAA: 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 µM (Rosas, 2007). In this case, the frequency of explants forming callus, shoots and roots (%) was measured at day 21. Cultures were maintained in a growth room at 25 ± 2°C under 16 h photoperiod with illumination of 270 µmol m² s¹. The experiment was repeated twice.

Auxin: Cytokinin ratio

After selecting the explant type, culture media, and NAA concentration that provided the best conditions for callugenesis and organogenesis, the influence of different auxin:cytokinin ratios on in vitro response was tested. For this process, NAA was combined with the cytokinin kinetin (KIN) at 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 µM. Culture conditions and evaluation were as described above. The experiment was repeated twice.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed by one–way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test. For statistical analysis, those values expressed as percentage were arcsine transformed. Significance level for all statistical tests was set at 5%.

RESULTS

Seed germination

After 30 days, seeds from non–disinfected capsules presented a germination of 82% (Table 1), whereas those from ethanol–disinfected capsules (for 30 and 60 sec) germinated in 42% and 59%, respectively. These results indicated that C. tenuiflora seeds were viable but sensitive to ethanol disinfection. Obtained seedlings reached between 6 and 8 mm during the test period.

In the following tests, seeds were placed in various substrates. In vermicompost and soil from the site, germination was < 10%, whereas in tepojal–turba, seed germination began at day seven and reached 67% at day 30 (Table 1). However, seedlings presented slow growth and reached 1 cm height after 60 days (Figure 1B). These results show that the collected seeds of C. tenuiflora are capable of germinating in different solid substrates. However, due to the fragility and size of the obtained seedlings, they were not appropriate as an explant source for biotechnological research or for chemical analysis of produced compounds. Therefore, in vitro propagation through axillary buds was assayed.

In vitro propagation through axillary buds

Shoot formation from axillary buds (Figure 1C) of wild plants of C. tenuiflora occurred after 30 days on SIM (Figure 1D), and the average efficiency was 33%. There was no contamination in this step, demonstrating that the disinfection protocol was highly reliable for wild material, but 67% necrosis of axillary buds was observed. No callusing was detected, suggesting direct organogenesis.

Induction of callugenesis and organo–genesis

Explant type, culture media and NAA concentration

To establish conditions for inducing C. tenuiflora in vitro cultures, the combination of two types of explants (internode and leaf) was tested, three culture media and four concentrations of NAA (Fig. 2). In general, callugenesis (formation of callus or cell dedifferentiation) (Fig. 3A) and organogenesis were observed, both as formation of shoots (caulogenesis) (Fig. 3B) and roots (rhizogenesis) (Figures 3C and 3D). In these two last cases, there was no evidence of callus formation, suggesting the occurrence of direct organogenesis. In particular, rhizogenesis was the primary in vitro response (up to 100%) followed by shoot formation (5–50%) and, finally, callugenesis (2–35%) (Fig. 2). Results are presented according to in vitro response in order to facilitate analysis. The highest yield of callugenesis (35%) was achieved on internodes using 0.1 µM NAA and B5 medium (p <0.05) (Fig. 2A). In a lower proportion (10%), calli were formed on leaf explants with MS medium and the highest level of NAA tested (10 µM). Callugenesis did not occur in NN medium. In all cases, callus were green and friable (easily disaggregated) and spontaneously formed roots 14 days after being induced.

Caulogenesis was the only response that occurred without the auxin NAA (Fig. 2B); this was observed on internodes and using MS medium (20%). However, with the same explant and medium, shoot formation yield increased significantly to 50% when 0.1 µM NAA was used (p < 0.05). If leaves were cultured in this NAA concentration (but using B5 culture medium) the same yield was achieved (p > 0.05). Clearly, the increase in NAA concentration > 0.1 µM had a negative effect on shoot formation (p < 0.05) regardless of explant type and culture medium. Moreover, caulogenesis was inhibited with 10 µM NAA. In NN medium, only 5% of internodes formed shoots, clearly indicating that the medium is inadequate for this purpose. Shoots formed under either condition spontaneously developed adventitious roots and converted to plantlets. This took place on average 14–21 days after shoots were induced, confirming the potential of plant biotechnology for offering alternatives to provide plant material. However, plantlets obtained by this procedure were less uniform in height than those obtained from axillary buds.

Auxin: Cytokinin ratio

To test the infl uence of different auxin:cytokinin ratios on in vitro response, the auxin NAA (0.1 µM) was combined with the cytokinin KIN (0–0.5 µM). From the above results and considering the occurrence of all in vitro responses, this experiment was done using only MS (formation of shoots and roots) and B5 media (formation of callus). It was observed that rhizogenesis tends to increase as auxin:cytokinin ratio increased (Fig. 4A). The highest yield of rhizogenesis (65%) was observed with the highest auxin:cytokinin ratio (2:1, 0.1 µM NAA + 0.05 µM KIN) (p < 0.05). Moreover, the low levels of KIN (0.05 and 0.1 µM; ratios 2:1 and 1: 1, respectively) had a positive effect on rhizogenesis (p < 0.05) because the yields were higher (p < 0.05) than those obtained when NAA was used alone. However, rhizogenesis was similar with 0.1 µM NAA used alone or combined with 0.5 µM NAA to give an auxin:cytokinin ratio of 1: 5 (p > 0.5).

As expected, caulogenesis presented an opposite behavior to rhizogenesis and tended to decrease as auxin:cytokinin ratio increased (Fig. 4B). The highest shoot formation (64–73%) occurred with the lowest auxin: cytokinin ratio (1:5; 0.1 µM NAA + 0.5 µM KIN) (p < 0.05). In this case, the highest level of KIN (0.5 µM, 1: 5 auxin:cytokinin ratio) had a positive effect on shoot formation (p < 0.05) compared to using only NAA. In contrast to organogenesis, no clear relation between auxin:cytokinin ratio and callugenesis was found. In fact, 0.1 µM NAA induced callugenesis (35%) at similar levels than when combined with KIN (15–20%) (p > 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The results of the present study show the feasibility of using in vitro culture to propagate and conserve germplasm of the 'cancer herb' C. tenuiflora. As previously outlined, two approaches were considered. First, an efficient propagation protocol for in vitro shoot multiplication and plantlet regeneration of C. tenuiflora using axillary buds of wild plants was developed. Shoots were subcultured every 14 days in SEM and the multiplicative capacity has been maintained for at least 16 months. As an advantage, elongation and multiplication can be done in the same step. From one axillary bud, 250 plantlets were produced within eight weeks. Plant growth regulator combinations used for C. tenuiflora agreed with those reported for other Scrophulariaceae such as Scrophularia yoshimurae. Shoot multiplication was achieved by culturing several explants (shoot–tip, leaf–base, stem–node and stem–internode explants) in MS medium supplemented with 4.44 mM N6–benzyladenine (BA) and 1.07 mM NAA. Moreover, S. yoshimurae shoots were rooted on free–growth regulator MS basal medium (Sagare et al., 2001). With the protocol established for C. tenuiflora we are able to provide a constant source of plant material during the year, compared to wild material that is available only during a short season. Further studies are being performed in order to establish acclimatization conditions.

Castilleja tenuiflora caulogenesis occurred both in MS and in B5 medium, whereas NN was inadequate. In contrast, the highest rhizogenesis occurred in NN medium. Both responses were also related to NAA concentration and explant type and were favored by the addition of the cytokinin KIN. Culture media used for plant in vitro culture are highly complex and little research has been performed to understand the role of mineral nutrition in regulating and controlling morphogenesis (Ramage and Williams, 2002; Niedz and Evens, 2007). Moreover, the medium components interact with the carbon source and endogenous and exogenous plant growth regulators and influence the sensitivity of explants to them (Ramage and Williams, 2002). Elucidation of the individual effects of culture medium components on C. tenuiflora shoot and root formation is beyond the aims of the present study. Therefore, the following discussion will be focused on the differences in N because it is one of their main components exerting effect on in vitro responses (Niedz and Evens, 2007). As previously mentioned, MS medium contains a high level of total N (60.01 mM), whereas B5 (26.74 mM) and NN (27.41 mM) contain lower levels. In each, nitrate: ammonium ratio is also different (2: 1 in MS, 12: 1 in B5 and 2: 1 in NN).

Nitrogen concentration, its forms (nitrate vs. ammonium) and their proportions may influence cell division and differentiation. Different forms of nitrogen in the culture media alter the endogenous levels of cell metabolites as well as those of proteins, organic acids and plant hormones (Sotiropoulos et al., 2005). Nitrate ion itself functions not only as a metabolic substrate for assimilation, but also as a signal for modulating the pattern of growth and development by means of regulating the expression of various genes such as those related to root architecture, among others. Moreover, N availability is related to cytokinin biosynthesis (Takei et al. 2002), and elevated cytokinin levels result in long–term reduction of the pool size and biosynthesis rate of auxins in Arabidopsis (Nordstrom et al., 2004). In this species, it has also been observed that auxin rapidly regulates (suppressed) both the rate of biosynthesis and the pool size of cytokinins (Nordstrom et al., 2004). This suggests the complexity of organogenic responses in in vitro cultures where nutrients and plant growth regulators are added. Differences in C. tenuiflora organogenesis may be attributed to the difference in total N concentration or its nitrate:ammonium ratio, although the interaction with explant type or plant growth regulator concentration cannot be excluded. C. tenuiflora shoot formation appears to occur regardless of total N content or explant type if 0.1 µM NAA is used alone or in combination with KIN. Instead, for C. tenuiflora rhizogenesis a low level of N combined with a low level of NAA (0.1 µM) is superior to high total N+ high NAA level or the addition of KIN. In other plant species, the effect of culture medium or nitrogen has also been reported. For instance, reduction of nutrients by diluting MS (50%) reduced shoot formation on internodal explants of B. monnieri 2– to 3–fold compared to complete MS (Baneerjee & Shrivastava, 2008). An increase in nitrate:ammonium ratio had a positive effect on Prunus domestica shoot regeneration from leaf explants (Nowak et al., 2007). In Pinguicula lusitanica, rooting was best with ¼ MS medium (Gonçalves et al., 2008).

Similar to the results obtained with C. tenuiflora organogenesis, in B. monnieri NAA concentration influenced rhizogenesis and high levels (2.0 mg/L) reduced this response (Baneerjee and Shrivastava, 2008). Moreover, in the same species, lower levels of NAA (2 and 4 mM) induced shoots. In B. monnieri and Mecardonia tenella, BA combined with NAA induced roots (Escandón et al., 2006; Baneerjee and Shrivastava, 2008). In contrast, cytokinin is required for adventitious shoot–bud induction in B. monnieri. Shoot formation in H. procumbens was significantly reduced at lower concentrations of the auxin IAA (Levielle & Wilson, 2002). Moreover, influence of the source of the explants has been reported for other Scrophulariaceae. For instance, in B. monnieri, leaf explants yielded a larger number of shoots than other explants such as node, internodes or stem (Tiwari et al., 1998; Shrivastava and Rajani, 1999). For S. yoshimurae, stem–node and shoot–tip explants showed the highest response followed by stem–internode and leaf–base explants (Sagare et al., 2001).

In C. tenuiflora a high cytokinin:auxin ratio (or high cytokinin with no auxin) was required to induce shoot organogenesis, whereas the opposite (high auxin with no cytokinin) provided rhizogenesis. Although this is typical in plant tissue culture, final responses are highly dependent on genotype, developmental stage of plant donor and even explant type (Phillips, 2004). The efficiency of the cytokinin BA uptake and endogenous level in Pinus pinea cotyledons depends on the genotype and influences caulogenic response (Cuesta et al., 2009). Moreover, the ontogeny of the tissue also influences organogenesis. In Eucalyptus globulus, roots could be originated in vitro either from old vascular tissue or from newly formed xylem (Calderon et al., 2004), whereas in response to auxins, root meristems in Medicago truncatula leaf explants arise from vascular–derived procambial–like cells (Rose et al., 2006). Therefore, in order to develop biotechno–logical systems it is necessary to perform specific studies for the plant of interest.

CONCLUSION

An efficient propagation protocol for in vitro shoot multiplication and plantlet regeneration of C. tenuiflora using axillary buds of wild plants was developed. Culture medium, explant type and NAA concentration influenced in vitro response of C. tenuiflora. It is feasible to propagate and conserve germplasm of the 'cancer herb' C. tenuiflora through in vitro culture.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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