Methyljasmonate accelerates catabolism of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus during leaf processing.

Variations in alkaloid pattern during drying of leaves (leaf processing) showed that treatment with methyljasmonate can induce formation of bisindole alkaloids as a result of catabolism of the monomeric alkaloids catharanthine and vindoline. A two-fold increase in 3',4'-anhydrovinblastine was shown in treated leaves especially from day 8 until day 21. Serpentine also increased in the same period under the treatment as a catabolic product of ajmalicine. Basic peroxidases that are responsible for the formation of anhydrovinblastine and serpentine showed high activity at days 8 and 21 in treated leaves, causing the increase in anhydrovinblastine and serpentine.