The use of plant cell cultures for the production of podophyllotoxin and related lignans

Podophyllotoxin isolated from rhizomes of Podophyllum plants (Podophyllaceae) serves as precursor for the semi-synthesis of anticancer therapeutics. The plants are collected from the wild and are becoming threatened species due to overcollection. Suspension cultures of Linum album (Linaceae) accumulate podophyllotoxin as well and could therefore serve as an alternative source for this important aryltetralin lactone lignan. The culture characteristics of suspension cultures of Linum album are reported in the paper. The fast growth of the cell culture and a podophyllotoxin accumulation of about 0.2% of the cell dry weight would enable a podophyllotoxin production of ca. 28 mg in 11 days in one liter of suspension culture.