Effect of Jasmonic Acid on the Elicitation of Phenolic Compounds and Naphthodianthrones in Hypericum perforatum L. Callus and Shoot Cultures

Hypericum perforatum callus and shoot cultures were investigated for biomass production, phenolic compounds and naphthodianthrone biosynthesis, as well antioxidant activities upon elicitation with jasmonic acid (JA). Calli and shoots elicited with 50 and 100 μM JA had comparable or better fresh biomass production, while application of 250 μM JA displayed growth suppression effect. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavan-3-ols contents in JA-elicited calli were correlated to increased activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and chalcone isomerase (CHI). In contrast, PAL and CHI activities in shoots were not significantly related to phenolic compound production, suggesting that JA up-regulated distinct phenylpropanoid/flavonoid pathways. Exogenous application of 250 μM JA was selected as an efficient elicitor dose for enhanced production of hypericin and pseudohypericin in both cultures. Calli and shoots showed an early response to JA elicitation through significant enhancement of non-enzymatic antioxidant properties due to accumulation of phenolic compounds. Concerning antioxidant enzymes, it was shown that up-regulated peroxidase activity in calli and catalase activity in shoots had a pivotal importance in cells’ protection against JA-mediated oxidative stress. Outgoing results indicated that elicitation of H. perforatum callus and shoot cultures with JA represents a promising biotechnological approach for production of bioactive metabolites with medicinal properties.