The inhibition of in vitro cultures of Withania somnifera Dun. was started with the biological material of Pakistanese origin, offered by the Botanical Gardens from Iassy - Romania.

The work presents the results of some phytochemical studies on 8 samples of Withania somnifera Dun. callus. The analyzed callus had different ages (5-10 weeks) and originates from nodes, shoot tips or leaf fragments cultivated on MS supplemented with cytochinins and auxines (BAP, NAA, 2,4-D) in different concentrations. Responding on the hormonal balance the callus had different morphophysiological peculiarities. The TLC phytochemical investigation aimed to render evident the following active principles: triterpens, phytosterols, polyphenolcarboxilic acids, flavonoids, alcaloids and polysacharides.

We found that the spectrum of triterpenes and sterols, identified in the callus, was similar to that of the Pakistanese plant roots and their level was raised irrespective of being glycoselated or non-glycoselated. Both the dyclormethanic extracts and the methanolic ones contained an alkaloid similar to reserpin which was also present in the roots of the Pakistanese origin Plants. In the callus samples we found polyphenolcarboxilic acids and flavonoides (with a larger spectrum), the synthesis of those compounds seemingly depending on the age of the plant. In the callus, we identified a spectrum rich in polysacharides.