Phytonanotechnology
Namrita Lall in Medicinal Plants for Cosmetics, Health and Diseases, 2022
Follow-up studies have uncovered side effects related to the use of synthetic compounds, which have contributed to the wide acceptance of natural product as an alternative, thereby increasing its market value. In addition to their use in medicine, plant-based natural products are used as spices, essential oils, flavors, fragrance, dietary supplements, food and beverages, cosmetics and other personal care products. This has led to a huge rise in the market value of plant-based products. In addition, plant biotechnology is focused on drastically improving the yield and quality of these natural products for human purposes. Using the modern tools of genetic engineering, researchers are developing plant-based drugs or other active plant ingredients that are cost effective, easier to use and even more effective than their existing counterparts (Qiu et al., 2013).
Phytolacca dodecandra (African Soapberry) and Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki)
Azamal Husen in Herbs, Shrubs, and Trees of Potential Medicinal Benefits, 2022
Civilizations have depended upon their flora and fauna for managing and curing their ailments and predicaments. This chapter demonstrated the worthiness and the scientific findings of two different plants (P. dodecandra and P. kurroa) that have been traditionally used as folklore medicine. The traditional knowledge of these plants serves as a fund of resources that can be adapted for medicinal and economic use even in the modern world. Various studies done on these two plants have been discussed briefly in this chapter to throw light on their phytochemical composition and their specific bioactivities. Lemmatoxin and kutkin are the most important phytoconstituents of P. dodecandra and P. kurroa extracts, respectively. Targeted phytochemicals could be identified, isolated, semi-synthesized, synthesized, or derivatized to form components of formulations from these plants. P. dodecandra has proved to be a powerful molluscicide and has also shown several pharmaceutical applications. Validation and clinical trials would be required to commercially realize its potential in medicine. P. kurroa is a potential drug (secondary metabolites) source for modern medicine. It is a potential candidate for anticancer drug formulations. Plant biotechnology could be used to conserve its natural population yet produce important metabolites through cell culture. In conclusion, the collective scientific data presented in this chapter on P. dodecandra and P. kurroa will facilitate the sustainable use of these plants and preservation of traditional knowledge.
Current Perspectives and Future Prospects in the Use of Artemisia annua for Pharmacological and Agricultural Purposes
Tariq Aftab, M. Naeem, M. Masroor, A. Khan in Artemisia annua, 2017
There is a glaring indication all over the world today that orthodox medicine alone cannot provide all the answers and remedies to the numerous health-related problems that may befall mankind. Consequently, there is a rapidly growing demand today for natural products and plant-derived medicines throughout the world, particularly because of their potential to keep pathogenic strains sensitive. The concept of growing crops for health rather than for food or fiber is slowly changing plant biotechnology and medicine. Rediscovery of the connection between plants and human and animal health is responsible for launching a new generation of botanical therapeutics such as plant-derived pharmaceuticals, multicomponent botanical drugs, dietary supplements, and plant-based recombinant proteins (Raskin et al. 2002). Many of these products will soon complement conventional pharmaceuticals in the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of diseases, while at the same time adding value to agriculture.
Development and characterization of gamma ray and EMS induced mutants for powdery mildew resistance in blackgram
Published in International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2023
Murugesan Tamilzharasi, Dharmalingam Kumaresan, Venkatesan Thiruvengadam, Jegadeesan Souframanien, T. K. S. Latha, N. Manikanda Boopathi, Palaniappan Jayamani
Similar variability was observed for other yield and yield contributing traits namely number of pods/cluster, number of clusters/plant, number of pods/plant and hundred seed weight among the population, which provided a greater scope for isolating a suitable mutant for economically important traits. Among the 60 mutants, 25 resistant mutants recorded significantly higher yield, which could be evaluated further for its stability for resistance and yield over a generation. These mutants have a crucial role in plant breeding in various ways, i.e. (i) ascertained resistant mutants could be used as parents in hybridization programmes to get superior segregants with high yield and resistance (ii) by conducting various yield trials across the environments, the best-performed mutants could be released directly as a variety for commercial cultivation.
Sustainable production of biomass and industrially important secondary metabolites in cell cultures of selfheal (Prunella vulgaris L.) elicited by silver and gold nanoparticles
Published in Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology, 2019
Hina Fazal, Bilal Haider Abbasi, Nisar Ahmad, Mohammad Ali, Syed Shujait Ali, Abbas Khan, Dong-Qing Wei
Nanotechnology is a multipurpose field that has got ever escalating applications in nearly every field of science. It is advancing rapidly and expected to turn into a trillion-dollar industry by 2018 with employment of 2 million, exceeding the industrial revolution impact [1]. This industry is posing significant impacts on the environment, economy and society worldwide. In turn, it is producing both encouraging and discouraging responses from governments, researchers and social media [2]. Due to their distinctive characteristics, this field is advancing its applications in the diverse fields of biology. Conversely, the use of nanoparticles is novel and requires elaborative research in the area including tissue culture and medicinal plant biotechnology. Currently, the majority of studies regarding plant growth, seed germination and physiological responses are concerned about nanoparticles toxicity [1,3]. It has been reported that seed germination is accelerated in Glycine max by the applications of TiO2 and SiO2 and they also enhanced activities like antioxidation and nitrate reductase [4]. Similarly, Sharma et al. [5] reported that antioxidative enzymes and growth of the seedlings is improved by AgNPs. Contrarily, seed germination and root development are inhibited by ZnONPs in various plants [1]. Furthermore, in Brassica oleracea, synthesis of chlorophyll, metabolism and dry biomass are enhanced by the application of TiO2NPs [6]. However, the phenomenon of plant growth and development by these nanoparticles is still poor and needs further research.
Gamma irradiations induced morphological and biochemical variations in in vitro regenerated ginger (Zingiber officinale rosc.)- an invaluable medicinal spice
Published in International Journal of Radiation Biology, 2021
Gamma radiations have been considered as a rapid and effective method for influencing the physiological and biochemical process in many plant species. They are reported as an important physical agents being implemented in plant breeding programs aimed for agronomical characters and productivity improvement in many crops under both normal and stress conditions (Borzouei et al. 2013). Various previous reports revealed that moderate doses of ionizing irradiation can boost cell proliferation, rate of germination, cell growth, enzyme activity, resistance to various stresses and agricultural yields (Kiong et al. 2008). Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial herb of Zingiberaceae family which grows commercially in most of the tropical and sub-tropical regions including India, China, Nepal, Nigeria, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Japan (Khatun et al. 2016). It is grown vegetatively via rhizomes, which are valued not only as a spice but also even as a herbal supplement throughout the world. Ginger breeding is challenging because of very poor flowering and seed set, making genetic improvement very difficult. Therefore, elite germplasm is selected and clonally propagated through healthy rhizomes (Kambaska and Santilata 2009) which is cumbersome and time-consuming. In vitro culture of ginger offers mass multiplication and disease-free planting material, beside a potential for crop improvement (Smith and Hamil 1996; Nayak and Naik 2006).
Related Knowledge Centers
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Mendelian Inheritance
- Molecular Biology
- Phenotypic Trait
- Physiology
- Pathology
- Genetics
- Hybrid
- Systematics