optimization of callus induction and cell suspension cultures of catharanthus roseus

background & aim: investigation of suspension cell culture and callus production in catharanthus roseus. catharanthus roseus is an herbaceous perennial plant belongs to the family apocynaceae. c. roseus is important as commercial medicinal plant because of its alkaloidal content. whole plant contains about 130 alkaloids those are classified as vinca alkaloids. vincristine and vinblastine; two anti-microtubular agents of vinca alkaloids are the first natural drugs utilized in cancer therapy. monomeric alkaloids such as vindoline and catharanthin are precuser for other alkolids. these reasons are motives to its production by tissue culture. the goal of this investigation is to characterize the best level plant hormones in the in vitro culture. experimental: improvement experiment of production callus carried out in factorial arrangement with three agents, explant, amount of plant hormones (2, 4-d, and bap). comparison mean showed leave explants had callus in number of treatments but these callus were strong and stem explants had medium callus production in more treatment than leave explants. for improvement suspension culture used of randomized complete with six treatment of plant hormones (2, 4-d, bap, and kn) in three repeats. results & discussion: number of the cell and dried weight cell measured for mean comparison. variance analysis number of cells showed that had significant difference in p>0.01 and second treatment produced most cell numbers and so in dried weight cells had significant difference in p>0.01 and third treat produced most biomass in all treatments. recommended applications/industries: results of this study indicated that 2.5 mg/l 2, 4-d and 2 mg/l  bap are suitable for  suspension cell culture and callus production in catharanthus roseus.