Gymnemic acid enhancement in the suspension cultures of Gymnema sylvestre by using the signaling molecules-methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid

Gymnema sylvestre is a natural source of gymnemic acids-a group of closely related triterpenoid saponins used in the treatment of diabetes. The present study is aimed at enhancing gymnemic acid production in G. sylvestre cell suspension cultures using the signaling molecules-methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid. Methyl jasmonate yielded the maximum gymnemic acid content of 135.41 +/- 0.43 mg g(-1) dry cell weight (DCW), 72 h after elicitor application. Salicylic acid, on the other hand, evoked a moderate response reaching a maximum of 43.27 +/- 0.80 mg g(-1) DCW, 48 h after application. The results of the present study increase the possibility for commercial production of gymnemic acids on a large scale using G. sylvestre cell suspensions.