Production of anti-HIV-1 calanolides in a callus culture of Calophyllum brasiliense (Cambes)

Calophyllum brasiliense (Cambes) produces calanolide secondary metabolites that are active against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcrip- tase. In this study, it was demonstrated that plant tissue culture is a useful technique for producing these metabo- lites. Different concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulators were tested in leaf and seed explants to establish callus cultures capable of producing calanolides. Highest callus induction (100%) was achieved when seed explants were incubated in a medium consisting of 8.88 lM 6-benzyladenine and 20 lM picloram. Highest callus induction (80.67%) was observed when leaf explants were incubated on a medium consisting of 0.46 lM kinetin and 5.37 lM a-naphthaleneacetic acid. High-performance liquid chromatography quantitative analysis revealed higher calanolide B and calanolide C production in calluses from seed explants than those developed from leaves (309.25 vs. 8.70 mg kg -1 for calanolide B; 117.70 vs. 0.0 mg kg -1 for calanolide C).