The joint use of cyclodextrins and methyljasmonate, when accompanied by a short exposure to UV, enhanced extracellular ajmalicine accumulation to 1040 +/- A 26.6 mg/l in suspension cultured cells of Catharanthus roseus. The success of this strategy is due to the use of cyclodextrins, which not only induce ajmalicine biosynthesis but also promote adduct formation. This removes ajmalicine from the medium, reduces feedback inhibition and ajmalicine degradation, and allows its accumulation in the culture medium at elevated concentrations.