Jasmonates promote enhanced production of bioactive caffeoylquinic acid derivative in Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. hairy roots

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. is widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of hepatitis, poisoning from snake bites and viral infections. Pharmacological studies confirmed its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. The efficacy of E. prostrata (L.) L. extracts has been correlated to phenylpropanoids such as flavonoids, coumestans and caffeoylquinic acid derivatives. In this work, the production of wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3,5-diCQA) in hairy root cultures of E. prostrata (L.) L. C19 clone was increased after addition of eliciting agents jasmonic acid (JA) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) at multiple concentrations. Cultures elicited with 100 mu M of JA saw a 5.2 fold increase in wedelolactone (from 0.72 to 3.72 mg/g d.w.), a 1.6 fold increase in demethylwedelolactone (from 5.54 to 9.04 mg/g d.w.) and a 2.47 fold increase in 3,5-diCQA (from 18.08 to 44.71 mg/g d.w.). Obtained data validate the potential of E. prostrata (L.) L. hairy root cultures as a production system of wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone and especially 3,5-diCQA, which has recently been reported to possess activity against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) by in silico computational studies. Key message The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of jasmonic acid (JA) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (anti-Covid-19 drug candidate) production from hairy root cultures of Ecliptaprostrata (L.) L. C19 clone.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the effect of jasmonic acid or methyl jasmonate on production of wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone, and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid in hairy root cultures of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.C19 clone. The results showed a significant increase in production of these compounds after treatment with jasmonic acid. The data validate the potential of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. hairy root cultures as a production system for compounds with potential anti-Covid-19 activity.