Researchers from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed a novel method to enhance the production of valuable medicinal compounds in the endangered snow lotus (Saussurea involucrata). Their study is published in the Plant Biotechnology Journal.
The researchers achieved a 15-fold increase in syringin, a bioactive compound with potent anti-inflammatory properties, by genetically engineering suspension cell cultures. This advancement holds promise for scalable applications in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.
The snow lotus, native to China’s Tianshan Mountains, has long been prized in traditional medicine for its ability to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and high-altitude sickness. However, its slow growth and vulnerability to environmental stressors have pushed the species to the brink of extinction. To address this, the researchers turned to suspension cell cultures, which can be rapidly scaled in bioreactors, bypassing the challenges of traditional cultivation.
Using methyl jasmonate (MeJA) to stimulate syringin synthesis, the researchers conducted transcriptomic analysis and identified two key glycosyltransferase genes, SiUGT72BZ2 and SiUGT72CY1. Overexpression of SiUGT72BZ2 in suspension cell cultures resulted in syringin levels 15.2 times higher than those in control groups, alongside a significant increase in coniferin, another anti-inflammatory compound. In contrast, overexpression of SiUGT72CY1 yielded only a 5.9-fold increase in syringin.
When tested on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory cells, extracts from SiUGT72BZ2-enhanced cultures demonstrated a 10.6% greater suppression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production compared to controls at lower doses. “The synergistic effects of syringin and coniferin likely contribute to this enhanced anti-inflammatory activity,” explained co-author Dr. Wu Zhenying.
“This system decouples compound production from environmental constraints, making it a viable solution for large-scale production,” said Ph.D. candidate Xu Yue, a co-first author of the study.
By leveraging genetic engineering and suspension cell culture technology, the researchers have opened new avenues for conserving the endangered snow lotus while meeting the growing demand for its medicinal compounds. This study underscores the potential of biotechnology to address both conservation and industrial challenges in producing plant-based therapeutics.