Methods of producing pentacyclic triterpenoids from cultures via elicitation

Abstract

Provided herein are methods for producing pentacyclic triterpenoids comprising eliciting cultured hairy roots of Bixa orellana in a culture medium with an elicitor comprising methyl-β-cyclodextrin, methyl jasmonate, hydrogen peroxide, and magnesium chloride, and extracting pentacyclic triterpenoids from the elicited culture medium and, optionally, the elicited hairy roots. The pentacyclic triterpenoids include 2α,6β-dihydroxybetulinic acid, maslinic acid, oleanolic acid, 6β-hydroxybetulinic acid, arjunolic acid, betulinic acid, and alphitolic acid. Also provided are compositions comprising the triterpenoid-rich extract and methods of using the compositions for inhibiting induction of inflammatory markers, inhibiting growth or proliferation of bacteria, and inhibiting growth or proliferation of cancer cells.

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