Influence of phytohormones and arachidonic acid on production of ecdysteroids and glycosylflavones in Silene amoena (Caryophyllaceae)

Phytohormones are signaling molecules produced by plant objects in low concentrations that control all aspects of plant growth and development: embryogenesis, protection from pathogens, stress resistance, reproductive development, etc. Investigations on the influence of phytohormones on secondary metabolites such as ecdysteroids and low molecular weight phenolic compounds is a promising area. In the course of the ongoing chemical study of the species of the genus Silene, we have selected as an object of our research the wide-spread species of this genus - S. amoena L. The research focuses on studying the influence of exogenous phytohormones on the productivity and accumulation of ecdysteroids and glycosylflavones in the herb and root of S. repens. Using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet, diode array, and mass spectrometric (electrospray ionization) detection (HPLC-UV, HPLC-DMD-ESI-MS) in the aerial part of the introduced S. amoena samples, we have established the presence of 12 ecdysteroids, among which 20-hydroxyecdysone, polypodin B and six glycosylflavones, derivatives of schaftoside, isovitexin, swertisin, are the dominant compounds. It has been found that to increase the productivity of S. amoena, the use of ethyl ester of arachidonic acid is justified, and to obtain raw materials with a high content of ecdysteroids and glycosylflavones, it is recommended to use 24-epibrassinolide (100 mg/L) and 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (100 mg/L) respectively.