Introduction:

Plants are sources of a large number of secondary metabolites of commercial interest that are used in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries and as a source of numerous substances of chemical interest.

Objectives:

a) to enhance the biosynthesis and accumulation of cardenolides; b) to develop a protocol for the in vitro propagation of D purpurea; c) to obtain in vitro plants of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni; d) to compare S. rebaudiana plants grown in vitro with those propagated by cuttings; and e) to carry out a systematic review on biotechnological strategies applied to plants that produce high-intensity sweeteners and have proven antidiabetic activity.

Methods:

They were obtained transgenic lines carrying genes of interest from leaf segments. It was studied the effect of different combinations of growth regulators for massive in vitro propagation of elite lines from both plant species. They were carried out studies of the morphological and genetic characteristics of the plants propagated in vitro. It was carried out a systematic review of four species of medicinal plants with antidiabetic effects.

Results:

It was modified cardenolide biosynthesis in transgenic lines expressing the VEP1 gene. It was achieved direct shoot regeneration from leaf segments with an average number of 18.9 shoots per leaf segment. Moreover, the genetic stability of regenerated plants and secondary metabolite production was confirmed. It was proposed an in vitro propagation protocol of S. rebaudiana. Plants propagated in vitro are characterized by having homogeneous morphological characters and better phytosanitary status. The critical analysis of the bibliography allowed us to propose recommendations for future studies.

Conclusions:

They were developed two in vitro culture protocols for obtaining medicinal plants with stable and uniform productivity of secondary metabolites. We demonstrated the effectiveness of biotechnological strategies to enhance the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites with pharmacological effects.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )