Production of rohitukine in leaves and seeds of Dysoxylum binectariferum: an alternate renewable resource.

CONTEXT

Rohitukine is an important precursor for the synthesis of potential anticancer drugs flavopiridol (Sanofi-Aventis) and P-276-00 (Piramal Healthcare Limited, Mumbai, India). Trunk bark of Dysoxylum binectariferum (Roxb.) Hook. f. ex Bedd. (Meliaceae) is the widely used source for isolation of rohitukine. However, removal of trunk bark threatens the survival of the tree.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the amount of rohitukine accumulated in other tissues of D. binectariferum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rohitukine standard was isolated from leaves of D. binectariferum. Its purity was ascertained using HR-MS and NMR. Crude extracts were prepared from different tissues of D. binectariferum. Rohitukine content in all the tissues was quantified by HPLC.

RESULTS

Rohitukine accumulates in a significant amount in seeds, trunk bark, leaves, twigs, and fruits of D. binectariferum. Seeds have the highest rohitukine content (2.42%, dry weight) followed by trunk bark (1.34%, dry weight), leaves (1.064%, dry weight), twigs (0.844% dry weight), and fruits (0.4559% dry weight).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Seeds and leaves of D. binectariferum could be used as alternate renewable sources for isolation of rohitukine.