Hazel (Corylus avellana L.) plant has been recently introduced as a plant with the ability to produce Taxol. In the present research effects of different concentrations of benzoic acid and cinnamic acid on the phenolic compounds, Taxol content, and antioxidant activity of extracts of suspension-cultured hazel cells were investigated. The cells were treated with different concentrations of benzoic acid (0, 0.5, and 1 mM) and cinnamic acid (0, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.6 mM) on day 7 of subculture and were harvested on day 14. Benzoic acid in higher concentrations increased Taxol (4 fold of the control) and antioxidant activity of the cell extract. Cinnamic acid supply did not bring remarkable increase in Taxol content but increased phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of hazel cells extract. Interestingly, the extract of hazel cells showed more cytotoxicity for human cancer cells than pure Taxol. Further investigations may suggest the extract of cinnamic- and benzoic acid- fed hazel cells for treatment of cancer cells.
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