The antiulcerogenic effects of Maytenus aquifolium Mart. extracts have been
confirmed by biological assays and are apparently related to total phenols
, more specifically tannins and triterpenes. Leaves of M. aquifolium have b
een widely consumed in Brazil as a tea against ulcer. The present work repo
rts the production of M. aquifolium callus on semi-solid media and cell sus
pension cultures. Both were evaluated for their ability to accumulate trite
rpenes and phenolics. Dried cells were extracted and phenolics and triterpe
nes were analyzed by spectrometry and gas chromatography. Friedelan-3-ol wa
s detected in cell suspension and friedelin in callus. Cells cultured in se
misolid medium accumulated higher yields of phenolics than cell suspensions
.