Eliciting callus culture for production of hepatoprotective flavonoids and phenolics from Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don Endl)

S. S. El-Hawarya, E. M. Abd El-Kaderb, M. A. Rabeha, G. A. Abdel Jaleelc , M. A. Arafatd, Tanja Schirmeistere & Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsenf*a Department of Pharmacognosy Faculty of pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; b Department of Timber Trees Research, Horticultural Research Institute (ARC), Giza, Egypt; c Department of Pharmacology, National Research Center, Giza, Egypt; d Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni Suef, Egypt; e Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany; f Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, EgyptSupplemental data for this article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2019.1607334.CONTACT Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen Usama.ramadan@mu.edu.eg Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt.AbstractThe aim of our study is to estimate the hepatoprotective effects of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Sequoia sempervirens by determination of liver biomarkers (ALT, AST, total bilirubin and albumin in serum) and by histopathological examinations using thioacetamide-induced (TAA) liver injury model. Concurrent administration of ethanolic extracts of S. sempervirens leaves improved the alterations in liver morphology where it was a potent protector of the liver. The potential of L-phenylalanine and silver nitrate as chemical elicitors as well as UV radiation as a physical elicitor on flavonoid production in callus culture of S. sempervirens were emphasized. Murashige and Skoog’s medium fortified with phenylalanine and silver nitrate enhanced the production of flavonoids and phenolics. HPLC analysis was performed for qualitative and quantitative estimation of some flavonoid compounds in the produced calli in comparison with the mother plant. This finding highlights the potential use of S. sempervirens in the treatment of liver dysfunction.