Methyl jasmonate elicitation on increased production of Precocene II from adventitious root cultures of Ageratum conyzoides L. and evaluation of its antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) is a weed which is commonly distributed in all types of land. This weed plant is known to have antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antiasthmatic properties and essential oil with insecticidal, antiprotozoan, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. The main objective of this study is to increase the production of Precocene II in the leaf derived root culture of A. conyzoides elicited with 100 µM methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Out of three auxins (IBA, IAA, and NAA) tested for root induction from leaf explant, MS medium fortified with 4.9 µM IBA favored better root formation (15.06 ± 1.27) after 3 weeks of culture. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis of in vitro roots developed on 4.9 µM IBA was elicited with 100 µM MeJA resulted in the four fold increased production of bioactive compound, Precocene II than nonelicited roots. Precocene II showed better in vitro antioxidant activity against various test systems under in vitro. In addition, Precocene II showed better cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing potential against cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). Both antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Precocene II were higher than elicited and nonelicited roots. Based on the results, it is understand that MeJA elicitation would be the good choice for increased production of biologically important compound, Precocene II from the root cultures of A. conyzoides. Moreover, the weed plant may be considered as a real source of valuable phytocompound.