ENHANCEMENT OF THE ATTACHMENT ON MICROCARRIERS AND TPA PRODUCTION BY FIBROBLAST CELLS IN A SERUM-FREE MEDIUM BY THE ADDITION OF THE EXTRACTS OF CENTELLA-ASIATICA

The addition of ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica showed a remarka ble enhancement of fibroblast cells attachment to Cytodex beads in ser um-free (SF) medium. It also improves tPA production in both batch and perfusion cultivations. The optimal concentration for SF medium was d etermined as 2 ppm of the extracts when using Cytodex III. In batch cu ltivation a high specific tPA production rate was obtained, compared t o that from 5% FBS containing medium. However, a fast specific growth rate was observed in 5% FBS medium. In perfusion cultivation a reasona bly good cell density and tPA production was achieved at a perfusion r ate of 2.4 x 10(6) (viable cell/ml) and 0.65 (mug/ml), respectively at 22 ml/min.