Exploiting the Epibrassinolide as a plant growth promoter for augmenting the growth, physiological activities and alkaloids production in Catharanthus roseus L.

Abstract

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don is a medicinal plant that bears indole alkaloids used in cancer chemotherapy. The anti-cancer alkaloids, viz. vinblastine and vincristine, are mainly present in the leaves of C. roseus. Brassinolides, or Epibrassinolide (EBL) a sub-class of brassinosteroids, have demonstrated plant growth regulator (PGR)-like activity in different crops. A pot culture experiment was carried out to explore the effect of EBL on plant growth, physiological activities and production of total alkaloids in leaves, stems and roots in C. roseus at 6 and 9 months after planting (MAP). Five concentrations of EBL (10-0, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6 and 10-5 M) were applied on C. roseus. EBL 10-7 M significantly increased a number of growth, physiological and biochemical parameter at 6 and 9 MAP. The said concentration also increased leaf and root alkaloid content/ yield at both the stages. However, it was not significantly increased the stem alkaloids content/ yield.