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Taxus wallichiana Zucc. [Synonym: Taxus baccata subsp. Wallichiana (Zucc.) Pilg.] or Himalayan Yew belonging to the evergreen gymnosperm family Taxaceae, grows in temperate regions and has been used in traditional medicines to treat cancer, bronchial disorders, colds, cough, etc. The plant is known to contain paclitaxel (PTX), a key bioactive component with anticancer properties. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was used in the present study to estimate paclitaxel from the bark of T. wallichiana obtained from 15 different geographical locations in the eastern and western Himalayas of India. HPTLC method was determined to be a reliable and efficient technique for the quantification of paclitaxel, offering rapid outcomes. The bark materials of T. wallichiana chemotype obtained from Sikkim (Samanden) contained the highest concentration of paclitaxel, followed by West Bengal (Sandakphu), Arunachal Pradesh (Dibang Valley), and respectively. The present study also examined the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the aqueous bark extract of the TW1 chemotype at various doses on the meristematic cells derived from the roots of Allium cepa L.. The bark extracts demonstrate considerable cytotoxic and mitotic properties. This study could be useful to the pharmaceutical industry for selecting elite (high paclitaxel-producing) chemotypes of T. wallichiana. The toxicological evaluation of the T. wallichiana chemotypes (using Allium cepa test) could also help to determine the genotoxic properties of the bark extract. • First report of geographical variation study in Taxus wallichiana Zucc. using HPTLC analysis. • A validated and quick method to determine paclitaxel (PTX). • Selection of elite chemotypes of T. wallichiana based upon PTX content. • Genotoxicity attribute assessment of T. wallichiana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis sativa , widely known as 'Marijuana' poses a dilemma for being a blend of both good and bad medicinal effects. The historical use of Cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes suggests it to be a friendly plant. However, whether the misuse of Cannabis and the cannabinoids derived from it can hamper normal body physiology is a focus of ongoing research. On the one hand, there is enough evidence to suggest that misuse of marijuana can cause deleterious effects on various organs like the lungs, immune system, cardiovascular system, etc. and also influence fertility and cause teratogenic effects. However, on the other hand, marijuana has been found to offer a magical cure for anorexia, chronic pain, muscle spasticity, nausea, and disturbed sleep. Indeed, most recently, the United Nations has given its verdict in favour of Cannabis declaring it as a non-dangerous narcotic. This review provides insights into the various health effects of Cannabis and its specialized metabolites and indicates how wise steps can be taken to promote good use and prevent misuse of the metabolites derived from this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory, one of the most vital aspects of the human brain, is necessary for the effective survival of an individual. 'Memory' can be defined in various ways but in an overall view, memory is the retention of the information that the brain grasps. Different factors are responsible for the disbalance in the brain's hippocampus region and the acetylcholine level, which masters the memory and cognitive functions. Plants are a source of pharmacologically potent drug molecules of high efficacy. Recently herbal medicine has evolved rapidly, gaining great acceptance worldwide due to their natural origin and fewer side effects. In this review, the authors have discussed the mechanisms and pharmacological action of herbal bioactive compounds to boost memory. Moreover, this review presents an update of different herbs and natural products that could act as memory enhancers and how they can be potentially utilized in the near future for the treatment of severe brain disorders. In addition, the authors also discuss the differences in biological activity of the same herb and emphasize the requirement for a higher standardization in cultivation methods and plant processing. The demand for further studies evaluating the interactions of herbal drugs is mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present report, the effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ) and salicyclic acid (SA) elicitation, on the indole alkaloid production from micropropagated culture of the endangered Ayurvedic medicinal plant Rauvolfia serpentina Benth. ex Kurz, was investigated. The highest shoot multiplication was found in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media augmented with BAP (2.0 mg/l) following 4 weeks of culture. MS media fortified with cytokinins produced nodal explant-derived nodular base callus (NBC)/ nodular meristemoids (NMs) following 6 weeks. Maximum root length was found in half strength MS basal (½ MSO) media and maximum number of roots per shoot was noted in ½ MS media augmented with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (1.5 mg/l). Clonal fidelity of the in vitro plants was assessed by 10 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers of which only 3 primers (UBC-810, UBC-820, and UBC-827) produced clear and reproducible bands. The content wise variation of indole alkaloids (reserpine and ajmalicine), post elicitor (MJ and SA) treatment (0.5-2 mg/l) was quantified via high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). I n vitro raised R. serpentina root accumulated highest amount of reserpine (0.456% and 0.440%) followed by 1.5 mg/l MJ and SA mediated elicitation respectively. Ajmalicine content of in vitro root, grown on culture elicitated with MJ (1.5 mg/l and 2 mg/l), was 0.261%. The ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity was the highest in MJ (1.5 mg/l) treated micropropagated plantlets (0.86 EU/min/mg protein) and comparatively lesser in root samples (0.77 EU/min/mg protein) following 9 days of treatment. In all tested concentrations, SA treated plant sample exhibited strong superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity but the MJ and SA mediated elicitation caused sharp decrease in catalase (CAT) activity in all plant samples. In elicitor treated plant samples, the 1,1-diphenyl2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (%) as well as total phenolics and flavonoids contents were marginally higher than the untreated ones. In vivo and in vitro grown R. serpentina root extracts showed best response against the four evaluated ATCC strains of bacteria. Image, graphical abstract • Rapid and reproducible in-vitro regeneration protocol in Rauvolfia serpentina. • Analysis of clonal fidelity using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. • MJ and SA elicited reserpine and ajmalicine quantification in R. serpentina via HPTLC • Role of MJ and SA on enzymatic modulation of SOD, CAT, APX activities. • Modulation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity by MJ and SA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Endophytic fungi and their different mode of action attributing in phytoremediation are important criteria for ecologically sustainable pollution control. • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and other types of endophytic fungi play important role in host plant survival, trait improvement and pollutant tolerance. • The role and contribution of endophytic fungi in metal toxicity reversal, phytoremediation of organic pollutants, phytotoxicity reversal and plant trait improvement are discussed. • Field trials, high-end sequencing, state-of-the art analytical tools, metabolomic and transcriptomic based analysis is required to understand mechanism of in-situ phyto-remediation. Endophytic fungi interact with their hosts via different mode of action, that includes many physiological and mechanical control mechanisms, which have attributed cumulatively to their better survival potential. Moreover, the interaction influences the overall productivity of the host organisms, their growth enhancement, and efficient carbon metabolism processes. In some cases, host-endophyte symbiotic co-evolution strategy is exploited against critical environmental conditions like heavy metal pollution, soil contamination through different phytoremediation processes. The phytoremediation is the eco-friendly alternative strategy to remove environmental contaminants or toxic pollutants from soil, air or water using plants. The ability to sequester, detoxify, accumulate or extract environmentally hazardous pollutants is highly attributed by specialized endogenous physio-chemical properties of the plants. The introduction of novel mechanisms like augmentation, organic and inorganic transformation and rock weathering has enabled endophytic fungi to act as potent agent of phytoremediation, without impairing the sustainable growth and metabolism of the host. Endophyte-assisted phytoremediation technique is the futuristic in situ form of cleansing bio-hazardous contaminants, metals and metalloid pollutants, carcinogenic agents, industrial organic waste materials, inorganic pesticides and herbicides, hydrocarbon based elements and chlorinated products from nature. It functions as multi-factorial sustainable pollution control strategy with low environmental impact and operating expenses. The present review is a summarized approach to highlight the undercurrent operating mechanism involved in the endophytic fungi mediated phytoremediation techniques. In addition to that, different strategies with their constraints and application of transgenic technology in this novel field of research, are discussed elaborately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Standardized micropropagation protocol was developed in Hemidesmus indicus. • Methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid triggered higher biomass accumulation. • Assessment of bioactivity, antioxidant capacity and enzymatic modulation. • Screening of lipase inhibition activity and the effect of elicitation. • Elicitor stimulated enhanced production of marker compound 2-hydroxy 4-methoxy benzaldehyde. Growth promoting and secondary metabolite enhancing roles of the elicitors, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) were investigated in the popular medicinal crop Hemidesmus indicus (L) R. Br. or Indian Sarsaparilla grown in-vitro. In-planta elicitor treatment (MeJA; 25, 50, and 75 μM and SA; 0.75, 1.5, and 2 mg/mL) induced growth of nodular meristemoids, promoted overall growth and demonstrated enhanced bioactivity and accumulation of root specific alkaloid 2-hydroxy 4-methoxy benzaldehyde (MBAld). A fast and effective micropropagation protocol including both direct and indirect organogenesis and regeneration was standardized for H. indicus (HI-KOL). Murashige and Skoog (MS) media fortified with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (1.5 mg/L) produced the highest (6.7) number of shoots/ explant and average shoot length was 11.7 cm. It was followed by thiodiazuron (TDZ) (1.5 mg/L) (avg. shoot/explant 6.5 and avg. shoot length 11.1 cm). The percentage of emergence of shoot initials from the light green-compact base callus was highest (100%) in MS media supplemented with TDZ (2 mg/L) followed by indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (0.50 mg/L). Highest average callus diameter (3.7 cm) was noted in MS media fortified with TDZ (2.0 mg/L) + IBA (0.50 mg/L). For root initiation, IBA (1.5 mg/L) fortified MS medium demonstrated the best result (average root length 9.1 cm). Best responsive in-vitro raised plant materials also demonstrated significant total phenolics, flavonoid, tannin, and photosynthetic pigment contents when compared with other samples and in-vitro grown plantlets. Competitive antioxidant activity 1,1-diphenyl2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, activity of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT)], and elicitor stimulated pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities were also noted. In addition, a rapid, validated, and sensitive densitometric protocol for high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) quantification of MBAld was also standardized and it was noted that both MeJA and SA stimulated accumulation of MBAld in in-vitro samples but the effect was more prominent in MeJA treated plant derived root extracts with 75 μM MeJA treatment produced 3.41 ± 0.8 mg/g MBAld which was higher than the mother plant (MP) (3.30 ± 0.2 mg/g). HPTLC analyses also revealed phytochemical fidelity among the MPs and the treated and non-treated micropropagated plant samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerated emergence of drug- resistant pathogenic microbes, their unbeatable virulence and a gradual loss of efficacy of currently used antimicrobial agents over the last decade, have expanded the scope of herbal medicine to combat this emerging challenge to have a wide spectrum of activity to develop effective medicines with lesser untoward side effects. Plant-based natural products should be of utmost interest to today's pharmaceutical industries since they are a primary source of new chemical entities directed at new drug targets. Apocynaceae or 'Dogbane' family has attained a global reputation as a source of some life-saving plant-derived products and novel compounds. Members of this family have also been extensively investigated against several nosocomial pathogenic microbes through in vitro and in vivo experimental settings. Several plant-derived components obtained from members of this family have also exhibited remarkable microbial growth inhibitory properties. Popular and widely accepted international databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, ResearchGate, Scopus, Google Scholar, JSTOR and more were searched using the various search strings such as Apocynaceae, antimicrobials, multidrug resistance, resistance modifying agents and pathogenic microorganisms were used in various combinations to retrieve several citations related to the topic. The current review encompasses recent developments in experimental studies and phytochemical analyses which correlates with antimicrobial efficacy of selected Apocynaceous plants along with synergistic mechanism and structural details. The present review recognizes and leverages the importance of Apocynaceae plants, which could be of significant interest in the development of more effective and less toxic antimicrobial drugs which may surmount multidrug resistance. Three different paradigm models harnessing clinical antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including the plant family Apocynaceae, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species have been broadly discussed in this review. In a nutshell, the present review represents a comprehensive account on the antimicrobials and resistance modifying agents obtained from the members of the plant family Apocynaceae and derived phytochemicals. It also gives an insight into the underlying mode of action of these phytochemicals against an array of pathogenic bacteria, their mechanism of antibiosis, plant parts from which the phytochemicals were isolated or the extracts was prepared with a critical discussion on the botanically-derived antibiotics as a template for antimicrobial drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synergistic effects of polyamines (PAs) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) on in-vitro propagation of Aristolochia indica • First report on the assessment the clonal fidelity in A. indica using ISSR and RAPD markers • First report on comparison in aristolochic acid (AA) between in-vitro and nature-grown A. indica roots The present investigation was conducted to find out the influence of different polyamines (PAs) viz. spermine (spm), spermidine (spd) and putrescine (put) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) on multiplication, rooting, callusing and regeneration in Aristolochia indica L. in vitro. Firstly, the A. indica plants were collected, surface sterilized and cultured in Schenk and Hildebrandt (SH) media fortified with various PGRs and PAs in different concentrations and combinations. SH media fortified with benzylaminopurine (BAP) (2.0 mg/l)+put (0.5 mM) and in another experiment, BAP (2.0 mg/l)+spd (1 mM) produced best results with 41.00 and 39.2 axillary shoots/ nodal explant respectively. Following 4-6 weeks of incubation, explants propagated in SH media augmented with various combinations and concentrations of BAP and kinetin (kin) (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg/l), spm, spd and put (0.5 and 1 mM) generated white friable callus. SH media supplemented with BAP (2.0 mg/l)+spd (0.5 mM) displayed best response with an average number of 47.5 base callus derived shoots. Following 6 weeks of incubation, SH+ indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (1.0 mg/l)+spd (0.5 mM) resulted maximum average number (7) of roots per shoot. The genetic homogeneity of the mother plant (MP), hardened plant (HP) and in vitro regenerated plants was ascertained employing random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. In this present study, in randomly selected A. indica plants, by using 6 ISSR and 5 RAPD primers, 63 scorable bands were derived, 59 of which were recorded as monomorphic with a degree of monomorphism of 90%. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) revealed aristolochic acid (AA) content in in vitro grown A. indica roots and the roots from the mother plant (MP) as 6074.54 µg/g and 5891.14 µg/g respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional knowledge is a particular form of practice or skill set that was developed in ancient times and was sustained through generations via the passing of knowledge, essentially confined within a specific tribe, local people, or family lineages. Ethnodermatological use of medicinal plants in India is still a subject to conduct more studies to see if there is chemical, microbiological, and/or clinical evidence, from a scientific perspective, of their effectiveness for those skin disorders. Thus, this review can be the basis for further studies and may provide targets for drug development. We compile and emphasize the most important part of ethnodermatology, namely, traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and their applications for several skin diseases in India. We also include a brief review and explanation on dermatology in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. We review the pharmacological activity of extracts derived from some of the most cited plants against problem skin diseases as well. Different kinds of key phrases such as "Indian traditional ethnodermatology", "ethnodermatology", "ethnobotany", "skin diseases", "Ayurveda dermatology", "pharmacological activity" were searched in online search servers/databases such as Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/), ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/), PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), NISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository (NOPR) (http://nopr.niscair.res.in/). Based upon the analyses of data obtained from 178 articles, we formulated several important findings which are a summary shown in Tables. Tables. A total of 119 records of plants' uses have been found across India against 39 skin diseases. These are depicted with their localities of report, parts used, and preparation and administration methods against particular skin diseases. The knowledge and utilisation of herbal medicine in the Indian subcontinent has great potential to treat different kinds of human skin disorders. The administration of extracts from most of the plant species used is topical and few only are administrated orally. We also investigated the pharmacological activity of the extracts of the most cited plants against mice, bacterial and fungal pathogens, and human cells. Complementary therapy for dermatological problems and treatment remains the main option for millions of people in the Indian subcontinent. This review on the practices of ethnobotanical dermatology in India confirms the belief that their analysis will accelerate the discovery of new, effective therapeutic agents for skin diseases. However, more studies and clinical evidence are still required to determine if the identified species may contribute to skin condition treatment, particularly in atopic eczema. Today, ethnodermatology is a well-accepted international discipline and many new practices have been initiated in numerous countries. We hope this article will further accelerate the development of this area to identify a new generation of natural human skin treatments that will help meet the growing consumer demand for safe, sustainable, and natural treatments. In this context, research on plants utilised in ethnodermatology in India and elsewhere should be intensified. [Display omitted] • Skin diseases are a major public health concern worldwide. • The potential use of medicinal plants for the treatment of skin diseases and related problems in India were critically reviewed. • Ayurvedic formulations of medicinal plants for dermatology were evaluated. • Preclinical and clinical evidence, as well as cellular investigations, on the pharmacological activities of medicinal plants, were summarized. • Further research is needed to deeply understand the molecular mechanism of action of herbal compounds used in dermatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Indian B. monnieri chemotypes were analysed for bacoside A. • Validated HPTLC revealed elite chemotypes for bacoside A. • Elite chemotypes were further assessed for AChE inhibition and genotoxicity. • Positive correlation between AChE inhibitory activities and bacoside A content was noted. • Allium cepa root-tip assay showed no genotoxicity. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., commonly known as Brahmi or water hyssop is an age old Ayurvedic nootropic and cognitive booster used as a medicinal food and also in an array of pharmaceutical and healthcare products as a memory enhancing tonic. It is a high value medicinal crop in modern healthcare industry owing to a number of bioactive pharmaceuticals of which bacoside A is of prime neuropharmacological importance. The bacosides-enriched standardized extract of Bacopa is being used and investigated for clinical purpose. The objectives of this study are to analyze the intrinsic intra-specific variation in bacoside A in B. monnieri populations, to identify the elite (high bacoside A yielding) chemotypes of B. monnieri , to investigate the in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibitory activity of the B. monnieri elite chemotypes and to find out the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of B. monnieri employing Allium cepa root tips. Material and methods: This present work describes a quick, validated and reproducible high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method to estimate bacoside A content from 25 chemotypes of B. monnieri procured from 25 districts of 8 states of India. Further, an evidence-based approach was followed to validate the reported nootropic activity of the aqueous extracts of the plants by assessing their AChE inhibitory activity. Finally, the genotoxicity of an elite (high bacoside A producing) chemotype was assessed using Allium cepa root tip meristematic cells. B. monnieri chemotype BM1 (collected from North 24 Pgs, West Bengal) (7.55 μg) was found to possess the highest amount of bacoside A followed by BM3 (6.43 μg) and BM6 (6.02 μg) chemotypes collected from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal and Ranchi, Jharkhand respectively. Chemotype BM 25 (2.17 μg) exhibited least amount of bacoside A. Bacoside A content ranged between 2.17–7.67 μg across 25 chemotypes of B. monnieri. The strongest AChE inhibitory activities (IC 50 values of 259.45 and 267.89 mg/mL respectively) were showed by the highest bacoside A containing chemotype BM1 (259.45 mg/mL). Allium cepa root tip meristematic cell assay also revealed the lack of mitotoxic and cytotoxic property of the plant extract. The present rapid, reproducible and validated HPTLC provides an efficient tool to determine the quantitative variation in the bacoside A content in natural B. monnieri chemotypes. This method may be applied to select high bacoside A producing elite genotypes for further propagation and commercialization of this significant neuro protectant for pharmacological industry. Besides, it's in vitro AChE inhibitory property directly supports the popular use of the plant as a nootropic agent. Lack of genotoxicity of the plant extracts evidences its age old use as a medicinal food and commercial memory booster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A review update on recent trends on endophyte mediated diosgenin production. • Isolation and extraction of diosgenin. • Species of Dioscorea and other plants and strains of endophytes producing diosgenin. • Yield and culture conditions of endophyte mediated diosgenin production. Medicinally important steroid-based compound diosgenin is usually obtained from the secondary metabolic products of several plant species. Diosgenin has been proven as a prospective bioactive drug lead to the pharmaceutical industries as having anti-cancer activity, anti-microbial activity, anti-thrombic activity, anti-diabetic activity, cardioprotective activity, anti-inflammatory activity, osteoarthritis protective activity etc. Observing the multiple therapeutic values of this compound, scientists and chemists have become interested to discover alternative sources. Endophytic microorganisms possess the potentials producing prospective secondary metabolites. Some diosgenin producing endophytic fungi and bacteria are detected and reported by authors. Extraction and quantification of the respective secondary metabolite in a proper way is required initially for its large scale production. Regular involvement of advance biotechnological approaches plus industrial fermentation technology along with proper funding following government policy is necessary for further progress in this field. Exploration of a higher number of diosgenin producing endophytic strains will definitely increase the supply for social requisition in a cost-effective and environment-friendly manner as limiting the excessive exploitation of plant sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stresses are responsible for the major losses in crop yield all over the world. Stresses generate harmful ROS which can impair cellular processes in plants. Therefore, plants have evolved antioxidant systems in defence against the stress-induced damages. The frequency of occurrence of abiotic stressors has increased several-fold due to the climate change experienced in recent times and projected for the future. This had particularly aggravated the risk of yield losses and threatened global food security. Non-coding RNAs are the part of eukaryotic genome that does not code for any proteins. However, they have been recently found to have a crucial role in the responses of plants to both abiotic and biotic stresses. There are different types of ncRNAs, for example, miRNAs and lncRNAs, which have the potential to regulate the expression of stress-related genes at the levels of transcription, post-transcription, and translation of proteins. The lncRNAs are also able to impart their epigenetic effects on the target genes through the alteration of the status of histone modification and organization of the chromatins. The current review attempts to deliver a comprehensive account of the role of ncRNAs in the regulation of plants' abiotic stress responses through ROS homeostasis. The potential applications ncRNAs in amelioration of abiotic stresses in field crops also have been evaluated. [Display omitted] • Abiotic stresses are responsible for the major crop-loss. • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) do not code for any proteins. • However, ncRNAs play crucial role in stress responses. • NcRNAs are classified into miRNAs and lncRNAs. • The lncRNAs are also able to impart their epigenetic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) has been used as a traditional Rasayana herb for a long time. Traditional uses of this plant indicate its ameliorative properties against a plethora of human medical conditions, viz. hypertension, stress, diabetes, asthma, cancer etc. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the geographical distribution, traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of W. somnifera and its active constituents. In addition, it presents a detailed account of its presence as an active constituent in many commercial preparations with curative properties and health benefits. Clinical studies and toxicological considerations of its extracts and constituents are also elucidated. Comparative analysis of relevant in-vitro, in-vivo , and clinical investigations indicated potent bioactivity of W. somnifera extracts and phytochemicals as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, cardio-protective and spermatogenic agents. W. somnifera was found to be especially active against many neurological and psychological conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, ischemic stroke, sleep deprivation, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The probable mechanism of action that imparts the pharmacological potential has also been explored. However, in-depth studies are needed on the clinical use of W. somnifera against human diseases. Besides, detailed toxicological analysis is also to be performed for its safe and efficacious use in preclinical and clinical studies and as a health-promoting herb. [Display omitted] • Withania somnifera is a wonder drug in the field of complementary and alternative medicine. • Root loaded with various bioactive principles like withanolides, withaferin A etc. • Myriad of ethno-medical applications in the Indian subcontinent. • Neuroprotective, psychoactive and stress relief properties are of prime focus. • Possibility to appear as a potential drug lead against SARS-CoV2 /COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Mucuna pruriens is an anti-Parkinsonian medicinal crop with industrial use. • Levodopa is the biomarker with potent anti-Parkinson's disease properties. • Callus of wild and cultivated varieties of Mucuna pruriens were raised in vitro. • A validated High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography method was used to screen Levodopa. • Levodopa biosynthesis was optimized using response surface methodology. Mucuna pruriens L. (DC.), is a valuable, economically significant medicinal crop, known worldwide for producing the anti-Parkinson's drug Levodopa (L-Dopa). Itching property of the plant poses certain constrains in its conventional breeding, but, in vitro cell culture systems offer advantage in which controlled conditions can be used for the production of valuable compounds. In the current investigation, a simple and efficient method for callus induction from the wild (var. pruriens) and cultivated (var. utilis) varieties of M. pruriens is described. Juvenile leaves and roots obtained from 30 day old aseptically grown seedlings were used as explants for callus induction. The leaves were found to be the best explants for obtaining maximum callus within a short period of time in 2.0 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) supplemented Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. White compact root callus was produced from var. utilis in 2,4-D (2.0 mg/L) and indole 3-acetic acid (0.2 mg/L) + benzyl amino purine (2.0 mg/L) containing media. Whereas, callus formation was not observed from root explants of var. pruriens. Central composite design–response surface methodology (CCD-RSM) experiment was designed to analyze the linear-model and quadratic model (including pair-wise and interactive effects) of each variable to study the maximum biomass production from leaf and root explants. In this study, 1.5 mg/L concentrations of BAP as well as 2,4- D in plant tissue culture medium resulted in maximum callus biomass (2.378) and L-Dopa % yield (0.635 %). L-Dopa content in these varieties was investigated by high performance-thin layer chromatography (HP-TLC) using the methanolic extract prepared from callus cultures of both the varieties and compared with natural plant parts. L-Dopa content was found to be higher in seeds obtained from the naturally grown plants of var. pruriens followed by var. utilis (> 0.55 % and 0.494 % respectively). From the result obtained it can also be ascertained that root callus can serve as a source of L-Dopa extraction commercially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]