Enhancing Astragaloside Production in Astragalus membranaceus through Growth Media and Auxins

Abstract

The secondary metabolites of triterpenoid saponins, isoflavonoids and polysaccharides are present in Astragalus membranaceus those are biologically active. Astragalosides are a major group of identified compounds that have various pharmacological properties. The present study was considered to enhance astragaloside biosynthesis in hairy root cultures of A. membranaceus by using different growth media and concentrations of different auxins. Our findings revealed that Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) medium responded greatly for the production of the highest dry weight. However, the highest astragaloside production was detected while using SH medium of its half strength. The growth of hairy roots and accumulation of astragaloside in response to different auxinlike Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) were different. Hairy root growth rate was increased by the treatment of IBA and NAA, but was unaffected by IAA. Accumulation of Astragaloside was enhanced in response to the treatment of IBA and NAA. In most cases, treatment with the 0.5 mg L^-1 NAA accumulated the highest level of stragaloside in the hairy root of A. membranaceus, which might, therefore, be utilized as an ideal mass-scale production system for astragalosides.