Obtaining and selection of pancratium maritimum l. In vitro cultures with acetylcholinesterase inhibitory action

Two types of plant in vitro systems—calli and shoot cultures were obtained from ovaries of sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum L.)—a Bulgarian threatened plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. Using TLC method, ten different alkaloids were separated in extracts from in vitro cultures, as well as their abilities to inhibit the acetylcholinesterase (EC. 3.1.1.7) were evaluated by the same techniques. All investigated lines from both type in vitro systems exhibited high levels of somaclonal variability concerning the number and the levels of alkaloids produced. However, the callus cultures produced alkaloids in significantly lower levels compared to the shoot cultures. Two shoot lines (H6L7 and H6L6) producing four alkaloids with high acetylcholinesterase inhibitory action (with Rf values of 0.47, 0.43, 0.25 and 0.12) they were selected as prospective source for further screening of new acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. © 2010 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.