The effects of chitosan nanoparticles on genes expression of artemisinin synthase in suspension culture of Artemisia annua L: A comparative study

Background: Despite significant efforts, the artemisinin-based drugs are still very expensive due to the limited production of this metabolite within wild Artemisia spp . plants. Therefore, the current work set out to evaluate the effect of chitosan nanoparticles, as a novel elicitor to characterize the expression of genes functioning in artemisinin synthesis pathway using a comparative experimental investigation. Methods: The suspensioncultures of A. anuua were exposed to ۵, ۱۰, ۱۵ mg/L of chitosan nanoparticles (during ۸, ۲۴, ۴۸ and ۷۲ h upon treatment). The expression of DBR۲, SQS, CYp , ADS, CPR and ALDH genes were quantified by qRT-PCR technique. Results: Chitosan nanoparticles were effective in inducing artemisinin production at ۱۵ mg/L after ۸ h, and ۵ and ۱۰ mg/L after ۷۲ h of elicitation, in which all the ADS, CYp , CPR, DBR۲ and ALDH genes were upregulated except SQS. Conclusion: The treatment of ۵ mg/L after ۷۲ h, when cells entered the stationary and then death phases, is recommended because it seems chitosan nanoparticles require more time to up-regulate the ADS, CYP and ALDH genes and thereby probably enhance the artemisinin content. The results suggest that chitosan nanoparticles can be used as a novel effective elicitor for artemisinin production.

Keywords:

Artemisia annua , Artemisinin , Chitosan , Gene expression , nano elicitor , nanoparticles