Abstract:

The effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA) and ultrasonic treatment on the production of
cumarins (imperatorin, isoimperatorin and psoraleae as measured by HPLC) and growth of callus tissue of Radix Glehniae
were explored. The results showed that SA and MeJA could cause growth inhibition in callus tissue, while low-intensity
ultrasound treatment for a certain time had a positive effect on callus vitality. Additionally, the production of cumarin could
be promoted to different extents by all three factors. When the concentration of salicylic acid was 8 mg/L, the content of
imperatorin reached its maximum level, which was 3.8 times higher than the control, but SA had only a marginal impact on
psoralen. When the concentration of salicylic acid increased to 16 mg/L, the production of psoralen reached its maximum
level, which was 1.7 times higher than the control. When the concentration of salicylic acid further rose to 28–30 mg/L,
the maximum content of isoimperatorin and total cumarins was achieved showing a 2.33-fold increase compared with the
control. The MeJA concentration of 400 μmol/L resulted in maximum production of psoralen and isoimperatorin, which
was increased by 6.09 and 5.53 times in comparison with the control, respectively; meanwhile the maximum content of
total cumarins was observed, which was 5.11 times higher than that of the control. After ultrasound treatment for 30 min,
the production of imperatorin, isoimperatorin and total cumarins reached their maximum levels (5.51, 3.69 and 11.90 μg/g),
which were 5.15, 4.20 and 3.55 times higher than those of the control, respectively; when ultrasonic treatment lasted 10 min,
the maximum production of psoralen was found, which was 1.5 times higher than that of the control. In summary, compared
with ultrasonic treatment and SA, MeJA could more effectively promote the production of coumarins in Radix Glehniae.

Key words: Radix Glehniae, cumarin, methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, ultrasound