Synergistic Effect of Irradiated Sodium Alginate and Methyl Jasmonate on Anticancer Alkaloids Production in Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.)

Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus L.) G. Don contains about 130 indole terpenoid alkaloids including vincristine and vinblastine, which are antineoplastic drugs produced in a very minute quantity in periwinkle leaves. Researchers have been finding ways to enhance the production of these valuable alkaloids. A pot experiment was conducted on periwinkle to explore the effect of single and combined application of irradiated sodium alginate (ISA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on growth, physiological attributes and alkaloids production (vincristine and vinblastine) at 6 and 9 month after plantation (MAP). Foliar application of ISA at 80 mg L−1 improved the growth and other physiological parameters, whereas MeJA at 40 mg L−1 enhanced the content and yield of anticancer alkaloids (vincristine and vinblastine). As compared with the control, their combined application (80 mg L−1 of ISA and 40 mg L−1 of MeJA) increased the total alkaloids content by 33.8 and 36.6% and the total alkaloids yield by 47.7 and 58.0% at 6 and 9 MAP, respectively. Combined application increased the vincristine content by 46.7 and 42.8% and vincristine yield by 59.8 and 66.0% at 6 and 9 MAP, respectively. Similarly, it increased the vinblastine content by 24.6 and 21.0% and the vinblastine yield by 35.3 and 40% at 6 and 9 MAP, respectively. Conclusively, combined application of ISA and MeJA could be considered recommendable to enhance the anticancer alkaloids of periwinkle.