SIMULTANEOUS DETERMINATION OF FIVE ACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM DYSOSMA DIFFORMIS ROOTS BY HPLC

Comprehensive Biotechnological Strategies for Podophyllotoxin Production from Plant and Microbial Sources

Podophyllotoxin is derived from plant sources and exhibits strong anticancer activity. However, limited natural availability and environmental impacts from traditional extraction methods drive the search for alternative production approaches. This review explores diverse strategies for sustainable podophyllotoxin synthesis, including biosynthesis, semi-synthesis, and biotransformation. Biosynthetic methods involve metabolic pathway engineering in plant or microbial cells, enabling increased yields by manipulating precursor availability and gene expression. Semi-synthetic approaches modify podophyllotoxin precursors or intermediates to enhance therapeutic effects, with derivatives like etoposide and teniposide showing clinical efficacy. Biotransformation, utilising organisms such as endophytic fungi or human hepatic enzymes, enables the transformation of substrates like deoxypodophyllotoxin into podophyllotoxin or its derivatives, yielding compounds with reduced environmental impact and improved purity. The anticancer efficacy of podophyllotoxin and its derivatives stems from multiple mechanisms. These compounds disrupt cell mitosis by inhibiting microtubule assembly, impairing nucleoside transport, and blocking topoisomerase II activity, leading to DNA cleavage and cancer cell apoptosis. Podophyllotoxin and its derivatives also exhibit anti-angiogenesis and anti-metastatic effects through signalling pathway modulation. Notably, derivatives like deoxypodophyllotoxin utilise advanced delivery systems, enhancing targeted efficacy and reducing side effects. Given the varied mechanisms and growing therapeutic applications, optimising biotransformation and delivery techniques remains essential for advancing podophyllotoxin-based therapies. This comprehensive review underscores the compound's potential as a robust anticancer agent and the need for continued research to maximise its production and clinical effectiveness.

Isolation and Cytotoxic Potency of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Dysosma difformis, a Study for the Novel Resources of Podophyllotoxin

Endophytic fungi are promising sources for the production of podophyllotoxin-an important anticancer compound, replacing depleted medical plants. In this study, the endophytes associated with Dysosma difformis-an ethnomedicinal plant species were isolated to explore novel sources of podophyllotoxin. Fifty-three endophytic fungi were isolated and identified by morphological observation and ITS-based rDNA sequencing, assigning them to 27 genera in 3 divisions. Fusarium was found the most prevalent genus with a colonization frequency of 11.11%, followed by Trametes (9.26%) and Penicillium (7.41%). Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the endophytic fungi community in two collection sites, Ha Giang and Lai Chau, revealing the adaptation of the species to the specific tissues and habitats. Cytotoxic activity of endophytic fungal extracts was investigated on cancer cell lines such as SK-LU-1, HL-60, and HepG2, demonstrating strong anti-cancer activity of six isolates belonging to Penicillium, Trametes, Purpureocillium, Aspergillus, and Ganoderma with IC₅₀ value of lower than 10 µg/mL. The presence of podophyllotoxin was indicated in Penicillium, Trametes, Aspergillus and for the first time in Purpureocillium and Ganoderma via high-performance liquid chromatography, which implied them as a potential source of this anti-cancer compound.

Biotechnological interventions for harnessing podophyllotoxin from plant and fungal species: current status, challenges, and opportunities for its commercialization

Podophyllotoxin is an aryltetralin lignan synthesized in several plant species, which is used in chemotherapies for cancers and tumor treatment. More potent semisynthetic derivatives of podophyllotoxin such as etoposide and teniposide are being developed and evaluated for their efficacy. To meet the ever increasing pharmaceutical needs, species having podophyllotoxin are uprooted extensively leading to the endangered status of selective species mainly Sinopodophyllum hexandrum. This has necessitated bioprospection of podophyllotoxin from different plant species to escalate the strain on this endangered species. The conventional and non-conventional mode of propagation and bioprospection with the integration of biotechnological interventions could contribute to sustainable supply of podophyllotoxin from the available plant resources. This review article is focused on the understanding of different means of propagation, development of genomic information, and its implications for elucidating podophyllotoxin biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of pathways. In addition, various strategies for sustainable production of this valuable metabolite are also discussed, besides a critical evaluation of future challenges and opportunities for the commercialization of podophyllotoxin.