Dicentrine, a selective α±(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist with potent antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive activities, it also has antinociception in different models of chemical pain.

The highest Dicentrine content (19.5 +/- 0.3 mg/g dry weight) from callus culture of Stephania venosa was achieved from stem segments cultured on MS medium supplemented with TDZ 0.5 mg/L and NAA 1.0 mg/L. Cell suspension cultures were established from callus cultured on MS liquid medium with the same plant growth regulators. Dicentrine production from S. venosa cell suspension cultures was obtained in the range of 15-26 mg/g dry weight. Elicitation in cell suspension cultures by chitosan (50 mg/L) and salicylic acid (2 mg/L) for 6 days significantly increased Dicentrine content.