Cell Cultures of Ecdysteroid-Containing Ajuga reptansand Serratula coronata Plants

Cell suspension cultures of Ajuga reptans L. and Serratula coronata L. were derived from long-cultured calluses. Their growth patterns and morphophysiological characteristics indicated that these cells adapted well to grow in suspensions. During the growth cycle of cell suspension, the main ecdysteroid, among others present in plants, was 20-hydroxyecdyson (20E) for both cell lines. The content of 20E in cell suspension of A. reptans was 4–8 times higher than in the intact plant. After long culturing, the ecdysteroid profile in cell suspensions of S. coronata (20E, inokosterone, makisterone A, ecdyson, and a nonidentified metabolite) became similar to that of the intact plant. The ecdysteroids accumulated with a periodicity during subculturing cycle.