Search

Here, we are analyzing the comparative study of green-synthesized biogenic Caralluma tuberculata gold nanoparticles (Ca-AuNPs) and poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate coated Ca-AuNPs nanocomposites (PEGMA-AuNPs), formed by hybridization of Ca-AuNPs with PEGMA. Both the virgin and polymer-capped materials (polymer hybrid) were physico-chemically characterized, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) that revealed physical interactions during coating without new peak, as PEGMA did not disturb the crystal structure of the AuNPs. However, a red shift of AuNPs from 450 to 520 nm was observed and the overall particle size of AuNPs was increased after PEGMA coating (50 to 100 nm). Furthermore, an efficient protocol of biomass enhancement of in vitro micropropagated Musa acuminate was achieved upon supplementation with Ca-AuNPs and PEGMA-Ca-AuNPs, in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) media in a dose-dependent manner. The maximum fresh, dry weight, and shoot length were achieved upon 80 ppm PEGMA-Ca-AuNPs supplementation. In the physiological analysis, higher chlorophyll content, abundant soluble sugar, and elevated moisture content also appeared upon 80 ppm PEGMA-AuNPs addition. Phytohormone analysis showed over-accumulation of IAA content, while on contrary, decreased MDA and H2O2 content, higher production of phenolics, flavonoids, phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, and antioxidant activity was noticeable upon 80 ppm PEGMA-AuNPs supplementation. Moreover, enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities including CAT, SOD, POD, and APx were detected at 80 ppm PEGMA-Ca-AuNPs supplementation in MS media. It can be concluded that the PEGMA-AuNPs elicitation can be effectively used in plant tissue culture and agricultural industry, for sustainable promotion of biomass and secondary metabolic through modulating the physiological, biochemical, and bioactive antioxidants status and modifying cell wall properties.

Silybum marianum L. commonly known as milk thistle is a medicinally potent plant with a multitude of pharmacological applications. The present investigations demonstrated the effects of Zinc Oxide ...

Application of nanomaterials is becoming the most effective strategy of elicitation to produce a desirable level of plant biomass with complex medicinal compounds. This study was, designed to check the influence of commercial iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) on physical growth characteristics, antioxidant status and production of steviol glycosides of in vitro grown Stevia rebaudiana. Results indicated that lower concentrations of FeNPs (45 µg/L) had a positive influence on morphological growth parameters. At a higher dose (90, and 135 µg/L) FeNPs in culture media were found detrimental to growth characteristics and development. Furthermore, the stress caused by FeNPs at 135 µg/L in cultures produced higher levels of total phenolic content (3.2 ± 0.042 mg/g dry weight: DW), total flavonoid content (1.6 ± 0.022 mg/g DW and antioxidant activity (73 ± 4.6%). In addition, plants grown in the presence of FeNPs at 90 µg/L resulted in higher enzymatic antioxidant activities (SOD = 3.2 ± 0.042 U/mg; POD = 2.1 ± 0.026 U/mg; CAT = 2.6 ± 0.034 U/mg and APx = 3.3 ± 0.043 U/mg), respectively. Furthermore, exposure to a low dose of FeNPs (45 µg/L) exhibited the maximum amount of stevioside (stevioside: 4.2 ± 0.058 mg/g (DW) and rebaudioside A: 4.9 ± 0.068 mg/g DW) as compared to high doses. The current investigation confirms the effectiveness of FeNPs in growth media and offers a suitable prospect for commercially desirable production of S. rebaudiana biomass with higher sweet glycosides profiles in vitro. Lower concentrations of Iron nano particles (FeNPs) had a positive influence on morphological growth parameters, production of antioxidant secondary metabolites and natural calorie free steviol glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana.

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has challenged the world health community and is still out of control. Since there is no clinical drug available for the corona virus therefore the most important and the fastest way of medicines development is to find potential molecules from the marketed drugs. Herein, bioinformatics analysis on the spike protein (S) of CoV and human angiotensin receptor 2 (ACE-2) with already approved anti-HCV approved drug velpatasvir have been reported. We conducted molecular docking to determine the mode of interaction of velpatasvir and RNA dependent RNA polymerase enzyme as well as inhibition of attachment of S-protein with human host receptor ACE-2. We found that, velpatasvir not only binds tightly with S-protein-ACE2 interface but also with 2019-Cov RdRp, can alter the structure and function of the said proteins and hence will results in the eradication of viral infection. The findings of this study further support the idea of drug repurposing and will help to classify the most successful drugs against COVID-19.

Natural products from plants contain many interesting biomolecules. Among them, quercetin (Q), gallic acid (GA), and rutin (R) all have well-reported antileishmanial activity, however, their exact mechanisms of action are still not known. The current study is a step forward towards unveil the possible modes of action of these compounds against Leishmania donovani (the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis). The selected compounds were checked for their mechanisms of action against L. donovani using different biological assays including apoptosis and necrosis evaluation, effects on genetic material (DNA), quantitative testing of nitric oxide production, ultrastructural modification via transmission electron microscopy, and real-time PCR analysis. The results confirmed that these compounds are active against L. donovani, with IC50 values of 84.65 µg/mL, 86 µg/mL, and 98 µg/mL for Q, GA, and R, respectively. These compounds increased nitric oxide production and caused apoptosis and DNA damage, which led to changes in the treated cells’ ultrastructural behavior and finally to the death of L. donovani. These compounds also suppressed essential enzymes like trypanothione reductase and trypanothione synthetase, which are critical for leishmanial survival. The selected compounds have high antileishmanial potentials, and thus in-vivo testing and further screening are highly recommended.

Medicinal and aromatic plants and their refined natural products have gained global attraction for their therapeutic potential against many human diseases. Nigella sativa is a medicinally important plant, commonly known as Black cumin or Black seed is a dicotyledon plant of the Ranunculaceae family. It is in common use for a longer time in history as preservative and spice and has also been extensively utilized by different communities around the globe. Black cumin has been an eminent component of traditional medicine systems like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda and Siddha. Its biological activities include antidiarrheal, analgesic, antibacterial, liver tonic, diurectic, digestive agent and to treat several skin disorders. Furthermore, the therapeutic properties also include antidiabetic, anticancer, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, spasmolytic and bronchodialator. This is all because of its miraculous healing power that it has been ranked as top ranked, among evidence based herbal medicines. The literature supports that the pharmacological activities of Nigella sativa are mainly because of the essential oil and its constituents particularly thymoquinone. The current review is an attempt to present a detailed literature survey regarding chemical composition, phytochemistry, therapeutic potential and biotechnological approaches to enhance the medicinal potential of this valuable plant., Medicinal and aromatic plants and their refinednatural products have gained global attraction for their therapeutic potential against many humandiseases.Nigella sativa is a medicinallyimportant plant, commonly known asBlack cumin or Black seed is a dicotyledon plant of the Ranunculaceae family. It is in common use for alongertime in history as preservative and spice and has also been extensively utilized by differentcommunities around the globe. Black cumin has been an eminent component oftraditional medicine systems like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda and Siddha. Its biologicalactivities include antidiarrheal, analgesic, antibacterial, liver tonic,diurectic, digestive agent and to treat several skin disorders. Furthermore, thetherapeutic properties also include antidiabetic, anticancer, antihypertensive,anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, spasmolytic and bronchodialator. This isall because of its miraculous healing power that it has been ranked as topranked, among evidence based herbal medicines. The literaturesupports that the pharmacological activities of Nigella sativa are mainly because ofthe essential oil and its constituents particularly thymoquinone. The currentreview is an attempt to present a detailed literature survey regarding chemicalcomposition, phytochemistry, therapeutic potentialand biotechnological approaches to enhance the medicinal potential of this valuable plant.

Clinically available synthetic chemotherapeutics to treat the vector-borne protozoan infection, leishmaniasis, are associated with serious complications such as toxicity and emergence of resistance. Natural products from plants consist of interesting biomolecules that may interfere with DNA or membrane integrity of the parasite and can possibly minimise the associated side effects. In the present study, various fractions of Euphorbia wallichii (EW) root extracts including n-hexane (EWNX), ethyl acetate (EWEA), chloroform (EWCH) and aqueous (EWAQ), were evaluated for their antileishmanial potential against Leishmania tropica followed by investigation of the possible mechanism of action via reactive oxygen species (ROS) quantification, membrane permeability (via sytox green dye) and apoptotic assay (via AO/EB method) using fluorescent microscopy. Two of the fractions i.e. EWEA and EWAQ inhibited the growth of promastigotes (IC50 7.8 and 10.2 μg/mL, respectively) and amastigotes (IC50 9.9 and 13.3 μg/mL, respectively) forms almost at similar concentrations as found for the standard antileishmanial drugs, tartar emetic (TA) and Glucantime (IC50 9.4 and 21.5 μg/mL, respectively). Both the active fractions remained non-toxic towards human blood erythrocytes and were able to cause membrane permeability and apoptotic induction (using Triton X-100 as a positive control) leading to death of Leishmania parasites. However, both the fractions could not triger significant and persistent ROS generation, compared to hydrogen peroxide used as a positive control. Antilesihmanial activity of the two active fractions might be attributed to the presence of high quantity of tannins and saponins.

Light is the most important physical factor in growth and development of plants. Light intensity is directly proportional to the growth and accumulation of natural antioxidants during in vitro cultures of various medicinal plants. The present research study was designed to determine the effect of different light intensities i.e. normal light (2000–2500 lx), diffused light (500–1000 lx) and complete dark (0 lx) on callus growth dynamics and production of natural antioxidants in olive cult. Arbosana. Highest callus induction frequency (50%) was observed in the stem explants pre-treated with silver nanoparticles suspension (AgNPs: 50 ppm) and cultured on MS media supplemented with combination of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP: 2 mg/l), Gibberellic acid (GA3: 1.5 mg/l) plus Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA: 0.5 mg/l). Maximum callus biomass (FW = 1414 mg/l) was recorded when the cultured explants were incubated initially for seven days in complete darkness, followed by transference to diffused light for one week and then finally placed under normal light in total fifty six days culture period. Moreover, phytochemical analysis of the callus cultures showed significantly higher activities of antioxidant enzymes i.e. SOD, POD, CAT and APx (2.45, 2.96, 2.57 and 1.67 U/mg. protein) in the callus cultures grown under dark condition as compared with other light treatments. For non-enzymatic antioxidant potential, maximum activity of TPC, TFC, PAL and DPPH (2.42 mg GAE/g, 1.50 mg QAE/g, 3.95 U/mg and 75%) were recorded in the calli raised in vitro under diffused light. This is the first report on the production of natural antioxidants in response to different light intensities in callus cultures of Olea europaea. Future studies should focus on large scale production of callus cultures in order to yield maximum biomass from this high valued plant.

Elicited plant in vitro cultures are gaining more interest worldwide for their potential in the uniform production of industrially important secondary metabolites. In the present study, different ratios of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and plant growth regulators (PGRs) were supplemented to in vitro cultures for the sustainable production of biomass and antioxidant secondary metabolites through callus cultures of Caralluma tuberculata. Results indicated that various concentrations of AgNPs significantly affected the callus proliferation and substantially increased the callus biomass, when combined with PGRs in the MS (Murashige and Skoog) media. The highest fresh (0.78 g/l) and dry (0.051 g/l) biomass accumulation of callus was observed in the cultures raised in vitro at 60 µg/l AgNPs in combination with 0.5 mg/l 2,4-D plus 3.0 mg/l BA. Phytochemical analysis of the callus cultures showed higher production of phenolics (TPC:3.0 mg), flavonoids (TFC:1.8 mg), phenylalanine ammonialyase activity (PAL: 5.8 U/mg) and antioxidant activity (90%), respectively, in the callus cultures established on MS media in the presence of 90 ug/l AgNPs. Moreover, enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD: 4.8 U/mg), peroxidase (POD: 3.3 U/mg), catalase (CAT: 2.5 U/mg) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX: 1.9 U/mg) were detected at higher level (90 ug/l) of AgNPs tested alone for callus proliferation in the MS media. It may be concluded that the AgNPs can be effectively utilized for the enhancement of bioactive antioxidants in the callus cultures of C. tuberculata, a highly medicinal and threatened plant. This protocol can be scaled up for the industrial production of plant biomass and pharmacologically potent metabolites in C. tuberculata.

The callus cultures of Fagonia indica could prove as factories for the production of important phytochemicals when triggered through different types of stress. In this study, we initiated callus cultures from healthy stem explants in the presence of iron-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Fe-ZnO-NPs). We performed experiments with the callus cultures of F. indica to determine the impact of Fe-ZnO-NPs in concentrations (15.62–250 µg/mL) on biomass accumulation, production of important phenolic and flavonoids, and antioxidative potential. Our results showed that maximum callus biomass [Fresh weight (FW) = 13.6 g and Dry weight (DW) = 0.58 ± 0.01] was produced on day 40 when the media was supplemented with 250 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. Similarly, maximum total phenolic content (268.36 μg GAE/g of DW) was observed in 40 days old callus added with 125 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. Maximum total flavonoid content (78.56 μg QE/g of DW) was recorded in 20 days old callus grown in 62.5 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs containing media. Maximum total antioxidant capacity (390.74 µg AAE/g of DW) was recorded in 40 days old callus with 125 μg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs treated cultures, respectively. Similarly, the highest free radical scavenging activity (93.02%) was observed in callus derived from media having 15.62 µg/mL Fe-ZnO-NPs. The antioxidant potential was observed to have positive correlation with TPC (r = 0.44). HPLC analysis showed that Fe-ZnO-NPs produced compounds (e.g., Epigallocatechin gallate) that were either absent or in lesser quantities in the control group. These results showed that Fe-ZnO-NPs elicitors could increase the biomass and activate secondary metabolism in F. indica cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11240-021-02123-1., Key Message Nanomaterial supplementation engineers the cells in an effective way to trigger biomass and secondary metabolism for the production of important phenolic compounds in plant cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11240-021-02123-1.

The current pandemic has caused chaos throughout the world. While there are few vaccines available now, there is the need for better treatment alternatives in line with preventive measures against COVID-19. Along with synthetic chemical compounds, phytochemicals cannot be overlooked as candidates for drugs against severe respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The important role of secondary metabolites or phytochemical compounds against coronaviruses has been confirmed by studies that reported the anti-coronavirus role of glycyrrhizin from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra. The study demonstrated that glycyrrhizin is a very promising phytochemical against SARS-CoV, which caused an outbreak in 2002–2003. Similarly, many phytochemical compounds (apigenin, betulonic acid, reserpine, emodin, etc.) were isolated from different plants such as Isatis indigotica, Lindera aggregate, and Artemisia annua and were employed against SARS-CoV. However, owing to the geographical and seasonal variation, the quality of standard medicinal compounds isolated from plants varies. Furthermore, many of the important medicinal plants are either threatened or on the verge of endangerment because of overharvesting for medicinal purposes. Therefore, plant biotechnology provides a better alternative in the form of in vitro culture technology, including plant cell cultures, adventitious roots cultures, and organ and tissue cultures. In vitro cultures can serve as factories of secondary metabolites/phytochemicals that can be produced in bulk and of uniform quality in the fight against COVID-19, once tested. Similarly, environmental and molecular manipulation of these in vitro cultures could provide engineered drug candidates for testing against COVID-19. The in vitro culture-based phytochemicals have an additional benefit of consistency in terms of yield as well as quality. Nonetheless, as the traditional plant-based compounds might prove toxic in some cases, engineered production of promising phytochemicals can bypass this barrier. Our article focuses on reviewing the potential of the different in vitro plant cultures to produce medicinally important secondary metabolites that could ultimately be helpful in the fight against COVID-19.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), a sugar crop commonly grown for sugar production all over the world, is susceptible to several insect pests attack in addition to bacterial, fungal and viral infections leading to substantial reductions in its yield. The complex genetic makeup and lack of resistant genes in genome of sugarcane have made the conventional breeding a difficult and challenging task for breeders. Using pesticides for control of the attacking insects can harm beneficial insects, human and other animals and the environment as well. As alternative and effective strategy for control of insect pests, genetic engineering has been applied for overexpression of cry proteins, vegetative insecticidal proteins (vip), lectins and proteinase inhibitors (PI). In addition, the latest biotechnological tools such as host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) and CRISPR/Cas9 can be employed for sustainable control of insect pests in sugarcane. In this review overexpression of the cry, vip, lectins and PI genes in transgenic sugarcane and their disease resistance potential is described.

Light is an important physical factor necessary for the growth, morphogenesis and production of bioactive compounds in plants. In this study, effects of different photoperiod regimes and hormonal elicitors were investigated on the accumulation of biomass, antioxidant potential and biosynthesis of secondary volatiles in the cell cultures of Ajuga bracteosa. Maximum accumulation of biomass (13.2 g/L) was recorded in cell cultures established at 1.0 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BA) in exposure to continuous dark. Biochemical assays showed that in the presence of 0.5 methyl jasmonate (Me-J), cell cultures grown under continuous dark had the higher activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD: 4.5 U/mg), peroxidase (POD: 3.1 U/mg), total phenolic content (TPC: 8.1 mg GAE/g of DW) and total flavonoid content (TFC: 5.2 mg QE/g of DW) respectively. Nonetheless, the free radical scavenging activity (FRSA) was found correlated with the phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL) activity in the dark grown cell cultures. Analysis through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) showed, biosynthesis of 29 compounds in the in vitro raised cell cultures. The major identified compounds consisted of monoterpene hydrocarbons such as β-pinene (2.1–9.5%), β-ocimene (1.4–8.3%), 1-terpinene-4-ol (5.8–9.6%), caryophyllene (1.3–6.2%), β-farnesene (0.82–7.8), oxygenated monoterpenes including myrtenal (2.2–8.4%), citronellyl acetate (2.1–7.3%) and sesquiterpenes such as caryophyllene oxide (1.5–5.5) and β-elemene (2.2–8.8%). This protocol has the potential for commercial production of important secondary volatiles.

Ajuga bracteosa is a medicinally important plant globally used in the folk medicine against many serious ailments. In the present study, effects of two significant elicitors, methyl jasmonate (Me-J) and phenyl acetic acid (PAA) were studied on growth parameters, secondary metabolites production, and antioxidant potential in adventitious root suspension cultures of A. bracteosa. The results showed a substantial increase in biomass accumulation, exhibiting longer log phases of cultures growth in response to elicitor treatments, in comparison to control. Maximum dry biomass formation (8.88 DW g/L) was recorded on 32nd day in log phase of culture when 0.6 mg/L Me-J was applied; however, PAA at 1.2 mg/L produced maximum biomass (8.24 DW g/L) on day 40 of culture. Furthermore, we observed the elicitors-induced enhancement in phenolic content (total phenolic content), flavonoid content (total flavonoid content) and antioxidant activity (free radical scavenging activity) in root suspension cultures of A. bracteosa. Application of 0.6 mg/L and 1.2 mg/L of Me-J, root cultures accumulated higher TPC levels (3.6 mg GAE/g DW) and (3.7 mg GAE/g DW) in the log phase and stationary phase, respectively, while 2.5 mg/L Me-J produced lower levels (1.4 mg GAE/g DW) in stationary phase of growth stages. Moreover, TFC and FRSA values were found in correspondence to TPC values in the respective growth phases at the similar elicitor treatment. Thus, a feasible protocol for establishment of adventitious roots in A. bracteosa was developed and enhancement in biomass and metabolite content in adventitious root was promoted through elicitation.

The limited production of bioactive essential oils in natural plants does not meet the increasing worldwide market demand. Plant cell culture technology can be used for the higher production of industrially important essential oils. In the present study, a suitable method for production of essential oils was developed through establishment and elicitation of adventitious roots (AR) in a medicinally important plant Artemisia amygdalina D. The results indicated that leaf explants cultured on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with 1.0 mg/L &alpha, naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 4% sucrose instigated the higher AR induction frequency (90&thinsp, &plusmn, &thinsp, 4.25) and maximum AR biomass (fresh biomass: 17.7 g/L). Furthermore, in the AR when transiently elicited with different elicitors for different time periods, methyl jasmonate (Me-J: 0.5 mg/L) resulted in the higher production of total phenolic content (TPC: 3.6 mg), total flavonoid content (TFC: 2.3 mg) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL: 4.8 U/g&times, FW) activity, respectively. Nonetheless, considerable levels of the major bioactive compounds such as &alpha, thujene (6.8%), &alpha, pinene (8.3%), 1,8-cineole (16.2%), camphor (8.4%) and verbenole (10.2%) were recorded in the Me-J treated AR. Thus, a feasible protocol for production of essential oils through AR in A. amygdalina was established, which can be exploited for commercial production of the industrially important terpenes.

Clinically, available synthetic chemotherapeutics in the treatment for leishmaniasis are associated with serious complications, such as toxicity and emergence of resistance. Natural products from plants can provide better remedies against the Leishmania parasite and can possibly minimize the associated side effects. In this study, various extracts of the callus cultures of Artimisia scoparia established in response to different plant growth regulators (PGRs) were evaluated for their anti-leishmanial effects against Leishmania tropica promastigotes, followed by an investigation of the possible mechanism of action through reactive apoptosis assay using fluorescent microscopy. Amongst the different callus extracts, higher anti-leishmanial activity (IC

Nanotechnology is a multipurpose field that has diverse applications in almost every field of science. Nanotechnology provides substantial opportunities for the scientists working in Plant sciences and Agricultural biotechnology to develop and adopt new methods and tools for improvement of commercially important plants and crops. Nanotechnology might improve the existing functions of plants and can also add some novel features and traits. It contributes further, new ideas that may lead us to understand the suitable mode of action of nanoparticles in plants. It is important to elucidate appropriately the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanism of interaction of nanoparticles with plant cell, for better plant growth and development. In this chapter, we have described and discussed the recent research work carried out by different research laboratories worldwide, on the impact of nanomaterials on plant cell growth, physiology, secondary metabolism, antioxidant system and biosynthesis of important compounds in plants/crops.

Linum usitatissimum commonly known as flax or linseed is an important medicinal plant, produces medicinally potent lignans, used in the treatment of several human diseases. Lignans limited production in the natural plants does not meet the increasing market demand. This study was conducted to establish an easy and rapid method for the in vitro micropropagation and production of potent lignans and antioxidant secondary metabolites in linseed. The results indicated that hypocotyl explants under the effects of thidiazuron (TDZ: 0.5 mg/L) + kinetin (Kn: 0.5 mg/L) in the basal growth media, resulted in the optimal shoot organogenesis parameters (shoot induction frequency: 86.87%, number of shoots: 6.3 &plusmn, 0.36 and shoots length: 6.5 &plusmn, 0.54 cm), in 4 weeks. Further, TDZ supplementation in the culture media efficiently activated the antioxidant system in the in vitro raised shoots, wherein maximum production of total phenolic content, TPC (34.33 &plusmn, 0.20 mg of GAE/g DW), total flavonoid content, TFC (8.99 &plusmn, 0.02 mg of QE/g DW), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (92.7 &plusmn, 1.32%), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, PAL (8.99 &plusmn, 0.02 U/g FW), and superoxide dismutase expression, SOD (3.62 &plusmn, 0.01 nM/min/mg FW) were observed in the shoot cultures raised in presence of TDZ: 0.5 mg/L + Kn: 0.5 mg/L. Nonetheless, considerable levels of pharmacologically active lignans such as secoisolariciresinol (SECO: 23.13&ndash, 37.10 mg/g DW), secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG: 3.32&ndash, 3.86 mg/g DW) and anhydrosecoisolariciresinol diglucoside (ANHSECO: 5.15&ndash, 7.94 mg/g DW) were accumulated in the regenerated shoots. This protocol can be scaled up for the commercial production of linseed to meet the market demands for lignans.

Diabetes and cancer are common diseases worldwide with terrific effect on human health. In the present study, a high valued medicinal plant Artemisia carvifolia Buch was subjected for evaluation of anticancer and antidiabetic potential. Previously produced rolB and rolC gene transgenic plants of A. carvifolia were also compared with the wild type plant for a differential count of cytotoxicity and antidiabetic activity. Lowest IC50 values were shown by rolB transgenic line TB4 for alpha-glucosidase (838.6 μg/ml), alpha-amylase (742.8 μg/ml) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (1300 μg/ml) in contrast to the wild type plant which showed IC50 values of 1608.4 μg/ml for alpha-glucosidase, 1973.8 μg/ml for alpha-amylase and 1800 μg/ml for dipeptidyl peptidase-4. Among rolC transgenic plants, TC1 showed lowest IC50 value i.e. 873 μg/ml for alpha-glucosidase, 747.7 μg/ml for alpha-amylase and 1400 μ/ml for dipeptidyl peptidase-4. Viability of the cancer cells including HeLA, HePG2 and MCF7 decreased to 80% when treated with methanolic extract of the plant and it decreased to 70% when treated with n-hexane extract. Cytotoxic effect was found more enhanced when cells were treated with both the extracts combined, showing synergism between flavonoids and artemisinin. RolB transformants showed slightly better activity than the rolC transformants which were found superior in activity than the wild type plant. Metabolite profiling by ESI/MS-TOF showed the involvement of significant plant secondary compounds in antidiabetic and anticancer potential in the extracts of transgenic lines. Vital amino acids, substantial phenylpropanoids and important phytochemicals were detected at a higher level in rolB and rolC transgenic plants than wild type plants.

Natural antimicrobial peptides have been shown as one of the important tools to combat certain pathogens and play important role as a part of innate immune system in plants and, also adaptive immunity in animals. Defensin is one of the antimicrobial peptides with a diverse nature of mechanism against different pathogens like viruses, bacteria and fungi. They have a broad function in humans, vertebrates, invertebrates, insects, and plants. Plant defensins primarily interact with membrane lipids for their biological activity. Several antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been overexpressed in plants for enhanced disease protection. The plants defensin peptides have been efficiently employed as an effective strategy for control of diseases in plants. They can be successfully integrated in plants genome along with some other peptide genes in order to produce transgenic crops for enhanced disease resistance. This review summarizes plant defensins, their expression in plants and enhanced disease resistance potential against phytopathogens.

Microbial contamination is the major cause of economic losses in commercial and scientific plant tissue culture laboratories. For successful micropropagation, it is important to control contamination during in vitro cultures. The present study was designed to isolate, identify and eradicate endophytic contaminants from in vitro cultures of medicinally important plant Fagonia indica. A total of eight distinct bacterial isolates from in vitro grown plantlets of F. indica were selected based on analysis of colony morphology. The endophytic bacterial contaminants identified at the species level through 16S rRNA sequence analysis were Enterobacter xiangfangensis, Bacillus vallismortis, Bacillus tequilensis, Terribacillus halophilus, Pantoea dispersa, Serratia marcescens subsp. Sakuensis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus atrophaeus. It was observed that almost 60% of seedlings were contaminated with Bacillus sp. and out of those, Bacillus tequelensis contributed to most infections (70% out of the Bacillus infections). The other most frequently occurring bacteria were Bacillus vallismortis, Terribacillus halophilus and Serratia marcescens subsp. sakuensis. Furthermore, the addition of antimicrobials to the media either completely inhibited or drastically decreased the growth of endophytic bacteria as compared to the control in which 92% of the plantlets were contaminated with these endophytes. Nine different antibiotics (rifampicin, teicoplanin, gentamicin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, tetracycline, doxycycline and ampicillin) were tested for their activity against the identified endophytes. Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and tobramycin showed a good response and inhibited the growth of all the bacterial isolates at low doses compared to the other antibiotics. Tobramycin was the most effective as it inhibited the growth of five of the bacterial isolates at a dosage as low as 4 mg/L. In case of tetracycline (16 mg/L) and doxycycline (64 mg/L), the contamination frequency in plantlets was 25.6 and 45%, respectively. It is, therefore, important to search for more endophytes, causing adverse effects during in vitro cultures and should devise a feasible anti-microbial strategy for controlling such contamination.

Silybum marianum L. is a medicinal plant used in the treatment for jaundice and liver diseases. In this study, an adventitious root culture was developed for the production of health promoting phytochemicals. Adventitious roots were induced from nodal explants on solid Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l−1 of α-Naphthalene acetic acid. Growth kinetics of the roots was investigated every week, for 8 weeks of culture period. Highest fresh biomass formation (153 mg l−1) was observed in 6-week old cultures. Adventitious roots were harvested from different growth stages as control (CTR), lag phase (LAG), logarithmic phase (LOG) or stationary phase (STN). Metabolite profiling of the samples was investigated using electro spray ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Significant phenylpropanoids such as cinnamic acid and di-hydro kaempferol were predominantly found in LOG phase, whereas the highest amount of malonic acid was detected in STN as compared to other growth phases. More sucrose content was detected in CTR, while the tryptophan content was higher in LOG phase. Among the vital fatty acids, prostaglandin A1 and phenyl acetic acid were at highest levels in STN phase. However, more brassicasterols were observed in LAG phase than other growth phases. Punicic acid and lignan pinoresinol were detected abundantly in the LOG phase. Biochemical characterization revealed significant correlations between silymarin content and DPPH as well as TPC and TFC in the growth curve. Interestingly, among all growth stages there was no correlation of PAL activity with TFC and silymarin content.

To elucidate how biosynthesis of plant metabolites is affected by temperature, metabolite profiles from in vitro regenerated plants raised under different temperature regimes of 10, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C and 30 °C were obtained using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to identify key metabolites. Several bin masses were detected by PCA loading scatter plots which separated the samples. In-house bin program selectively manifested the putative known metabolites depending on % total ions count and intensity of selected bins in the plant samples. Total phenolic and flavonoid content were harvested to highest levels (12.9 mg GAE/g DW and 9.3 mg QE/g DW), respectively, at 15 °C. Besides, pinoresinol (lignan), some of the vital amino acids such as serine, methionine, histidine and glutamine were found to be at higher amount in plants raised at 15 °C. Significant phenylpropanoids like cinnamic acid, caffeic acid and quercitol were detected at a higher concentration in plants raised at 15 °C as compared to other treatments. However, phosphoenolpyruvate, and oxalosuccinate (intermediates of the pentose phosphate pathway) were accumulated the most in plants raised at 30 °C and they were detected with lowest values at 10 °C. Glucose and deoxy-xylose 5 phosphate (intermediates of TCA cycle) were found in higher amounts at temperature treatments of 15 and 25 °C, respectively. We conclude that a low-temperature treatment (15 °C) results in a stress-induced accumulation of a variety of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites.

Silybum marianum, commonly known as Milk thistle, is a popular herbal supplement used for the treatment of jaundice and liver cirrhosis worldwide. Here we established methods for somatic embryogenesis and comparative metabolite profiling of the different growth phases during embryogenesis in S. marianum. Highest embryogenic potential was observed for calli previously derived from petiole explants on Schenk and Hildebrandt medium containing 2.5 mg l−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.5 mg l−1 N6-benzyladenine (BA). Somatic embryos (SE) were induced when embryogenic calli with pre-embryoid masses (PEMs) were subcultured on same media as used for induction of embryogenic callus. Highest number of somatic embryos (46 somatic embryo per callus) was observed at 1.5 mg l−1 2,4-D and 1.5 mg l−1 BA, however ½ strength MS medium showed optimal response for maturation followed by germination of somatic embryos at 1.5 mg l−1 GA3. Metabolite profiles from developmental stages of non-embryogenic callus (NEC), PEMs, SE and embryos germinating into intact plantlets (GSE) were obtained using Electro spray ionization mass spectrometry ESI/MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to identify key metabolites in different growth phases during somatic embryogenesis. The loading scatter plots enabled the detection of several bin masses responsible for separating samples from different growth stages. Based on the values of % total ions count and average intensity of selected bins in all biological samples, putatively known metabolites were obtained from in-house bin program. Amino acids associated with various biosynthetic pathways like arginine, asparagine and serine were abundantly detected in GSE, while they were detected at decreased intensities in NEC. However, tryptophan was measured with increased signals in SE when compared to other growth phases. Glucose, fructose and fructose-6-phosphate were mostly accumulated in NEC; however they were detected with lowest intensities in GSE. Moreover, sucrose and significant secondary metabolites like cinnamic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, linolenic acid, and 5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate were found at higher amount in SE when compared to other embryogenic phases.

The antileishmanial drugs presently available have stern limitations regarding efficiency, safety and cost that make it crucial to hunt for novel therapeutic approaches from natural products. In current study crude methanolic extracts (CMEs) of four medicinally important plants were evaluated for their phytochemical constituents, antioxidant potentials, cytotoxicity and antileishmanial activities. Digera muricata (L) and Cannabis sativa (Linn) showed highest total phenolic and flavonoid content (273.4 μg GAE/mg DW and 206.8 μg QA/mg DW, respectively), amongst others. Total antioxidant capacity determined in vitro by phosphomolybdenum assay exhibited that Saccharum spontaneum (L) and Mangifera indica (L) were the strongest antioxidants (∼108 and ∼100 μg AAE/g of DW, respectively) plants amongst other tested. The S. spontaneum showed remarkable scavenging activity (EC50 44.9 μg/mL), while M. indica showed to possess the lowest scavenging activity (EC50 105.7 μg/mL) on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. S. spontaneum and C. sativa were the least toxic (CC50, 113.0 and 109.4 μg/mL respectively), while M. indica remained the most toxic (CC50 42.46 μg/mL). Moreover, the in vitro evaluation of antileishmanial potential of plants CMEs, demonstrated a dose-dependent growth inhibition of L. major promastigotes and axenic amastigotes. M. indica and D. muricate extracts exhibited to possess antileishmanial potential at minute concentrations (IC50 5.2 and 18.9 μg/mL, respectively) comparable to that of tartar emetic (IC50 4.7μg/mL) against L. major promastigotes. Each CME was significantly active (p

Feasible regeneration protocol for economically important plant Eruca sativa was established and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity of regenerated tissues was evaluated and compared with plant material collected from the wild. Leaf portions inoculated onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium responded to all plant growth regulators exploited. Optimum callus production was achieved on a combination of 2.0 mg l−1 6-benzyladenine (BA) + 1.0 mg l−1 α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and the lowest response was recorded for 0.5 mg l−1 gibberellic acid (GA3) + 1.0 mg l−1 NAA. The callus was subcultured on similar composition/concentrations of plant growth regulators after 4 weeks of culture time. A 5.0 mg l−1 6-BA + 1.0 mg l−1 NAA produced optimum percentage shoot organogenesis after 4 weeks of subculturing. However, optimum number of shoots per explant was recorded for moderate concentrations (1.0 and 2.0 mg l−1) of kinetin. Incorporation of NAA into MS medium-containing GA3 also produced a feasible number of shoots/explant. Similar mean shoot length was recorded for 2.0 mg l−1 kinetin + 1.0 mg l−1 NAA and optimum concentrations (2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg l−1) of GA3 + 1.0 mg l−1 NAA. In vitro generated shoots were shifted to MS medium augmented with indole acetic acid (IAA) for rooting after 4 weeks of subculturing. Moderate concentrations (5.0 mg l−1) of IAA produced feasible rooting. Investigation of radical scavenging activity showed that callus possesses higher levels of radical scavengers than other plant tissues tested. Phenolics and glucosides are reported to be active components of Eruca sativa phytochemistry.

Silybum marianum is an economically important crop worldwide. It is renowned for production of biologically important silymarin. Average sale of silymarin is about US$ 8 billion/annum and its demand varies from 18 to 20 tons/year. Despite of its demand, there is lack of research efforts on cultivation and improvement of this plant. We hereby established feasible seed germination protocol for production of healthier and chemically consistent plantlets. Combination of benzyladenine (BA, 0.5 mg l −1 ) + gibberellic acid (GA 3 , 1.5 mg l −1 ) + thidiazuron (TDZ, 1.0 mg l −1 ) produced optimum germination frequency in seeds kept in 2 weeks dark and subsequently transferred to 2 weeks light (16 h photoperiod) conditions. Correlation among mean shoot length, mean root length, set of antioxidative enzyme activities was also observed in current report. Silymarin was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Considerable amount of silymarin (5.48 mg g −1 DW) was detected in our study, which was comparative to other reports available. Antioxidant activity (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; FRSA) and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity was also determined. Silymarin content had shown direct relationship with these activities. It showed that silymarin was a major antioxidant in current report. This study provides basis for expedited production of S. marianum plantlets with feasible content of silymarin.

WOS:000370366600001 PubMed: 28330141 In present report effects of explants type, basal media and plant growth regulators (PGRs) were tested for induction of indirect somatic embryogenesis in medicinally important plant Silybum marianum L. Leaf, petiole and root explants were exploited in vitro on B5 (Gamborg), SH (Schenk and Hildebrandt) and MS (Murashige and Skoog) media for induction of embryogenic callus followed by somatic embryogenesis. Highest callus induction frequency (76 +/- 4.8 %) was recorded when petiole explants of in vitro derived plantlets were cultured on B5 medium supplemented with 1.5 mg l(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4_D) in combination with 1.5 mg l(-1) Thidiazuron (TDZ). Induction and multiplication of somatic embryos were observed, when the embryogenic calluses were sub-cultured on to B5 medium containing 0.5 mg l(-1) 2,4-D plus 1.5 mg l(-1) TDZ. At this PGRs treatment, 77 % of the cultures responded with 39.1 somatic embryos per callus. Furthermore, MS0 medium was indicated more reponsive for growth and maturation of somatic embryos. Analysis of biochemical markers during various growth phases in somatic embryogenesis revealed that somatic embryos exhibited highest level of total carbohydrate, starch, ascorbic acid and total free amino acids. However, higher protein levels were detected in non-embryogenic callus. Nevertheless, considerable amount of silymarin (4.1 mg g(-1) DW) was detected in somatic embryos than other growth phases. Thus, the present study concluded that biochemical and physiological changes during embryogenesis are influenced by interplay of explants type, basal media and PGRs.

Piper nigrum L. is considered the king of spices throughout the world due to its pungent principle piperine. Peppercorn of Piper nigrum as a whole or its active components are used in most of the food items. Different parts of Piper nigrum including secondary metabolites are also used as drug, preservative, insecticidal and larvicidal control agents. Biologically Piper nigrum is very important specie. The biological role of this specie is explained in different experiments that peppercorn and secondary metabolites of Piper nigrum can be used as Antiapoptotic, Antibacterial, Anti-Colon toxin, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antidiarrhoeal, Anti-inflammatory, Antimutagenic, Anti-metastatic activity, Antioxidative, Antiriyretic, Antispasmodic, Antispermatogenic, Antitumor, Antithyroid, Ciprofloxacin potentiator, Cold extremities, Gastric ailments, Hepatoprotective, Insecticidal activity, Intermittent fever and Larvisidal activity. Other roles of this specie includes protection against diabetes induced oxidative stress; Piperine protect oxidation of various chemicals, decreased mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, inhibition of aryl hydroxylation, increased bioavailability of vaccine and sparteine, increase the bioavailability of active compounds, delayed elimination of antiepileptic drug, increased orocecal transit time, piperine influenced and activate the biomembrane to absorb variety of active agents, increased serum concentration, reducing mutational events, tumour inhibitory activity, Piperine inhibite mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, growth stimulatory activity and chemopreventive effect. This review based on the biological role of Piper nigrum can provide that the peppercorn or other parts can be used as crude drug for various diseases while the secondary metabolites such as piperine can be used for specific diseases.

At present, the world faces severe issues of energy crises and environmental deterioration. Fuel is inevitable for industrial development and growth of any country. The fossil fuel resources have always been terrifying. Biofuel energy, a renewable source, seems to be an ideal solution for global energy and environmental concern. The present work focuses on an optimized protocol for the production of biodiesel from a feasible source, i.e., sesame plant oil (Sesamum indicum L.) through base catalyzed transesterification. The sesame plant oil is investigated in this study as a potential source of biodiesel based on fuel properties and physico-chemical analysis. The free fatty acid number of crude sesame oil was 0.83 mg/g of KOH (1.66%). Conversion of sesame crude oil (triglyceride) to biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) was 75.45% and 72.56% at 1:6 molar ratio (oil:methanol) by using optimum 0.67% KOH and 0.34% NaOH catalyst, respectively, at 60°C for qualitative authentication. Specified analytical...

The morphogenic potential and free-radical scavenging activity of the medicinal plant, Silybum marianum L. (milk thistle) were investigated. Callus development and shoot organogenesis were induced from leaf explants of wild-grown plants incubated on media supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs). The highest frequency of callus induction was observed on explants incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5.0 mg l−1 6-benzyladenine (BA) after 20 days of culture. Subsequent transfer of callogenic explants onto MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l−1 gibberellic acid (GA3) and 1.0 mg l−1 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) resulted in 25.5 ± 2.0 shoots per culture flask after 30 days following culture. Moreover, when shoots were transferred to an elongation medium, the longest shoots were observed on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l−1 BA and 1.0 mg l−1 NAA, and these shoots were rooted on a PGR-free MS basal medium. Assay of antioxidant activity of in vitro and in vivo grown tissues revealed that significantly higher antioxidant activity was observed in callus than all other regenerated tissues and wild-grown plants.

Jurinea dolomiaeaBoiss., family Compositae, is a medicinally important plant of alpine region. Its tuberous roots are used in various ailments in folk medicine. This study was undertaken to estimate total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) and to determine anti-free radical potential by diversein vitroantioxidant assays. Crude methanol extract (JDME) was fractionated inton-hexane (JDHE), chloroform (JDCE), ethyl acetate (JDEE),n-butanol (JDBE), and aqueous (JDAE) fractions. The results indicated that JDEE and JDCE constituted the highest amount of TFC (807±7.2 mg rutin equivalent/g sample) and TPC (757±9.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g sample), respectively. Significant correlation of TFC with IC50values was recorded for•OH (R2=0.91), H2O2(R2=0.82), and ABTS (R2=0.82) assay. It could be made clear that JDEE was the most potent in antioxidant activity as compared to others, with generally lower IC50values for DPPH (41.1±1.0 μg/mL), ABTS (46.7±0.6 μg/mL), H2O2(42.2±0.9 μg/mL),•OH (61.1±1.1 μg/mL),O2-(152±1.1 μg/mL), and antilipid peroxidation (54.3±1.6 μg/mL). HPLC chromatogram of JDEE revealed the presence of catechin, caffeic acid, and rutin. The results indicated the antioxidant activities ofJ. dolomiaearoots and merit further investigations for their use in oxidative stress related disorders.

Callogenesis and organogenesis of ovary of sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis ) cv. Blood red was carried on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of N 6 benzyl adenine (BA), 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4-D. 1 mg/l BA + 0.5 mg/l NAA on MS medium was the most effective in callus induction and proliferation. Maximum number of shoots (11) was recorded on the medium with 2 mg/l NAA + 3 mg/l BA. The best medium for root induction was MS together with 2.5 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 2 mg/l indole–3-butyric acid (IBA), where maximum (16) plantlets were rooted. The regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in jiffy pots containing sterilized soil mixture of sand, silt and clay in 1:1:1 ratio to study their response to in vivo conditions. Key words: Citrus, blood red, ovary culture, callus induction, regeneration, plant growth regulators.

This research work was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial activities of different solvents extracted samples of Linum usitatissimum against seven bacterial and one fungal pathogen. Three concentrations (0.66, 1.00 and 1.33 mg dics-1) each of ethyl acetate, n-hexane, butanol and distilled water were used. Analysis of the data revealed that the growth of Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited equally by butanol and ethyl acetate extracted samples that is, 56% when tested by disc diffusion method. Similarly, ethyl acetate and butanol extracted samples reduced the growth of Bacillus cereus by 44 and 64% respectively. The data further suggest that Erwinia carotovora was inhibited 42% by ethyl acetate and 65% by butanol extracted samples.Key words: Antimicrobial, solvent, Linum, disc diffusion.