Preface
Page: ii-iii (2)
Author: Mohammad Anis and Mehrun Nisha Khanam
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010002
Secondary Metabolite Production through Elicitation: Biotic, Abiotic, MeJA, PGRs and Stress Signaling in Improving Compounds in Select Medicinal Plants
Page: 1-16 (16)
Author: Mehpara Maqsood, A. Mujib*, Mir Khusrau and Zahoor A. Kaloo
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010004
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Plants in addition to primary metabolites produce secondary metabolites
which are of immense pharmaceutical importance and other industrial uses. Secondary
metabolites are produced due to the stress experienced by plants in response to external
triggers/agents like elicitors. Elicitation involves two types of elicitors namely biotic
and abiotic. Elicitors have a vital role in plant tissue culture as these improve secondary
metabolite content in cultures. Other culture conditions including volume and types of
medium, duration, etc., also affect the yield of alkaloids. Extensive research has been
carried out for the enhanced level of alkaloids in in vitro cultured plants. Various
common elicitors used in media are methyl jasmonate (MeJA), yeast extract (YE),
fungal extract, ions from various salts like CdCl2, heavy metal ions, and ionic, nonionic
radiations, etc. The fungal cell wall components oligosaccharides and peptides have
also been used as elicitors for the induction/enhancement of secondary metabolites in
plant cell/organ cultures. The influence of sample representation of biotic and abiotic
elicitors, i.e., YE, Aspergillus flavus, MeJA, CdCl2
, CaCl2
, has been discussed taking a
few medicinals and oil yielding plants from authors’ laboratory. A direct link of stress
with elicitors including plant growth regulators (PGRs) has been established showing
over accumulation of proline, protein, SOD, APX and other antioxidant enzyme
activity with increased levels of elicitation. Increasing demand forces researchers to
conduct further investigation in this area for the production of phyto-compounds and
even for viable commercial exploitation.
In Vitro Multiplication and Metabolite Variations through GC-MS of a Medicinal Plant Scaevola Taccada (Gaertn.) Roxb.
Page: 17-38 (22)
Author: M. Raseena* and A. Yusuf
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010005
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
The present study investigated the difference in the phytoconstituents in the
methanolic extract of mother and tissue cultured plants of Scaevola taccada (Gaertn).
Roxb., an important medicinal plant of the Goodiniaceae family. An efficient protocol
was established to rapidly multiply S. taccada using nodal explants. The explants were
cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of BAP (0.5 mg/l,
2.5 mg/l, 5.0 mg/l, 10.0 mg/l), IAA (1.0 mg/l), Kinetin (1.0 mg/l), ascorbic acid (100
mg/l) and citric acid (25 mg/l). The maximum number of multiple shoots were obtained
in MS medium supplemented with BAP (5.0 mg/l) in combination with Kinetin (1.0
mg/l) and additives ascorbic acid (100 mg/l) and citric acid (25 mg/l). Subculturing
multiple shoots at periodic intervals of every 4 weeks produced the maximum number
of shoots. The in vitro generated shoots were rooted in half-strength MS medium
supplemented with IBA (0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,2.5) mg/l NAA (0.5,1.0,2.0,2.5) mg/l. Among
these, the highest root induction was obtained in IBA (1.5 mg/l) and NAA (0.1 mg/l).
The rooted plantlets were transferred to pots containing a mixture of vermiculite and
perlite for acclimatization for three weeks. The plants were hardened in a greenhouse
and planted in open fields. Phytochemical analysis shows the methanolic extracts of the
tissue cultured plants produced more bioactive compounds having various
pharmaceutical importance than the mother plant.
Metabolic Engineering & Synthetic Biology of Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids Pathway in Catharanthus Roseus
Page: 39-61 (23)
Author: Vyoma Mistry, Hemant Borase, Abhishek Sharma* and Rajesh Arora
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010006
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
The anti-neoplastic herb, Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (Apocynaceae),
is a high-value, low-volume medicinal herb, which is the focus of global attention in
view of being the source of terpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs). MIAs are one of the
largest classes of phyto-alkaloids, and many of them are sources of important
pharmaceutical products. C. roseus is known to harbour more than 130 different
bioactive MIAs that make it an interesting plant, finding use in several traditional and
modern medical therapies. The remarkable presence of cellular and subcellular
compartmentations for the synthesis and storage of MIAs allows the accumulation of
these medicinally important MIAs in leaves (viz. vindoline, catharanthine, vinblastine,
vincristine) and stem and roots (viz. tabersonine, ajmalicine, reserpine, serpentine,
vindoline, catharanthine, horhammericine, leurosine, lochnerine). Out of them, any
medicinally active MIAs found in Catharanthus roseus, vinblastine and vincristine are
special since they possess anticancerous properties, along with ajmalicine and
serpentine, which possess antihypertensive properties. However, the low plant yield
and nonavailability of alternative chemical synthesis methods have increased their
demand and market cost. In the research era of more than three decades, a plethora of
studies have been carried out on C. roseus to explore, understand, explain, improve and
enhance the Homo/Heterologous biosynthesis of MIAs. Metabolic engineering (ME)
and synthetic biology are two powerful tools that have played and contributed majorly
to MIAs studies. This chapter concentrates mainly on the efforts made through
metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of MIAs in plant and microbial factories
in the last three decades.
Impact of Abiotic Stresses on In Vitro Production of Secondary Metabolites
Page: 62-90 (29)
Author: Inês Mansinhos, Sandra Gonçalves and Anabela Romano*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010007
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Climate change conditions affect plant growth, net primary productivity,
photosynthetic capability, and other biochemical functions that are essential for normal
metabolism. The stimulation of biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is an important
strategy developed by plants to cope with adverse environmental conditions. Many of
these metabolites display a wide array of biological and pharmacological properties
(e.g., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-allergic, antiviral, and
antibacterial) and, thus, have valuable applications as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals,
cosmetics, fragrances, and food additives. The aim of this review is to present an
overview of the impact of abiotic stress factors in the biosynthesis of secondary
metabolites by in vitro cultures. Our literature survey showed that plant tissue culture
has been an effective tool to understand plant response to abiotic stresses, such as
drought, salinity, temperature, nutrient deficiency, or exposure to ultraviolet radiation,
which is of particular interest in the actual scenario of climate change conditions.
Furthermore, this technique appears as an environmentally friendly alternative for the
production of high-value secondary metabolites for many applications.
Glandular Trichomes: Bio-cell Factories of Plant Secondary Metabolites
Page: 91-119 (29)
Author: Pragya Shukla, Archana Prasad, Khushboo Chawda, Gauri Saxena, Kapil D. Pandey and Debasis Chakrabarty*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010008
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Trichomes are specialised epidermal outgrowth that is present on the aerial
parts of plants. On the basis of morphological and cellular variation, they are
categorized into non-glandular trichomes (NGTs) and glandular trichomes (GTs).
NGTs are known to be involved in the protective and defensive roles that attribute to
provide structural and chemical corroboration to form specialized groups of secondary
metabolites. GTs are specialized micro-organs that are considered factories for the
biosynthesis of a considerable amount of different classes of bioactive metabolites.
Conventionally these glandular and non-glandular trichomes are known for their
protective roles against different biotic and abiotic stresses. Recently, they have
attracted the interest of various researchers as a specialized organ for the production of
various bioactive molecules of high pharmaceutical and commercial values. The major
groups of secondary metabolites such as terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanes,
methyl ketones, acyl sugars and defensive proteins are reported in the trichomes of
different plant species. However, the conception of the molecular regulation of their
biosynthesis, storage and distribution during the development of trichomes is scattered.
This review compiles structural and functional aspects of GTs and NGTs along with
the molecular mechanism regulated for the production of secondary metabolite in these
specialized organs. In addition, the role of several bio-physical parameters that affect
the trichome biochemistry, which either directly or indirectly influence the biosynthesis
of secondary metabolite, will also be focussed. The systemized knowledge of trichome
biology, secondary metabolite pathway modulation and metabolic engineering at one
platform will be helpful to explore recent advances in the field of trichome engineering
in many medicinally important plants.
Role of Plant Growth Regulators for Augmenting Secondary Metabolites Production in Medicinal Plants
Page: 120-141 (22)
Author: Harsh Kumar Chauhan, Anil Kumar Bisht and Indra Dutt Bhatt*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010009
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Plants are an important source of natural products for health care throughout
the globe. Recent trends show an abrupt increase in the demand for medicinal plants
due to their cost-efficiency, safety, and potency. The medicinal properties of the plants
are attributable to the presence of secondary metabolites, which accumulate as the
natural defense against herbivory and other interspecies defenses. Along with their
medicinal uses, secondary metabolites are also used in flavorings, agrochemicals,
fragrances, bio-pesticides, and food additives. The demand for secondary metabolites is
mainly expedited through the collection of medicinal plants from the wild. This has
provided an impetus for overharvesting medicinal plants from the wild, and many of
them are threatened. The accumulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants is
limited, and therefore diverse strategies for improving the production of secondary
metabolites are a priority. Biotechnological applications, especially plant tissue culture
techniques, offer a viable alternative for obtaining secondary metabolites. Along with
the optimization of growth media and culture conditions, the role of plant growth
regulators is vital in enhancing biomass and secondary metabolite accumulation in the
culture medium. The present chapter demonstrates the types and uses of plant growth
regulators with a focus on the application of plant growth regulators for the production
of secondary metabolites from medicinal plants.
Hassawi Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Nutraceutical Properties, In Vitro Culture and Genomics
Page: 142-168 (27)
Author: Muneera Q. Al-Mssallem*, Krishnananda P. Ingle, Gopal W. Narkhede, S. Mohan Jain, Penna Suprasanna, Gholamreza Abdi and Jameel M. Al-Khayri
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010010
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
An indigenous reddish-brown landrace rice of the indica variety known as
Hassawi rice (<i>Oryza Sativa</i> L.) is cultivated in Saudi Arabia. This rice variety has both
nutritive and non-nutritive bioactive components that have therapeutic potential and
promote favorable metabolic profiles. Hassawi rice has health advantages that should
be further investigated, especially for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. There is a
direct need for the conservation and improvement of this important germplasm source.
Breeding efforts are limited, although a couple of hybrids were developed.
Biotechnology approaches offer effective tools for crop genetic improvement. In this
direction, in vitro regeneration of this crop has been developed that enabled the
evaluation of abiotic stress factors. Furthermore, recent genomic studies revealed that
Hassawi rice harbors novel alleles for salinity tolerance. This chapter reviews the
research carried out on Hassawi rice in relation to nutritional and health benefits as
well as secondary metabolites bioactivity and progress made on in vitro culture and
genomics.
In Vitro Rapid Regeneration of Plantlets from Shoot Tip Explants of Allamanda Cathartica L. and Characterization of Phytochemicals in Regenerants
Page: 169-181 (13)
Author: Mehrun Nisha Khanam* and Mohammad Anis
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010011
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
This study demonstrates a rapid, economic and efficient plantlet
regeneration protocol for an exotic ornamental and medicinal plant Allamanda cathartica L. by using shoot tip explants. Interaction of various PGRs (mT, IAA, IBA
or NAA) and sucrose was tested in MS medium to obtain maximum shoot regeneration
from shoot tip explants. mT (3.0 µM) + NAA (0.5 µM) + 4% sucrose was found to be
an optimum combination for maximum shoot proliferation with 20.80 mean shoot
number and 7.60 cm mean shoot length after 12 weeks of culture based on 93.20%
responsive explants. Microshoots (4-5 cm) showed maximum rhizogenic response as
they produced 4.20 mean root number with 4.90 cm root length after 4 weeks of culture
on ½ MS medium when supplemented with 0.5 µM NAA. Well-developed rooted
plantlets were acclimatized successfully with a 96% survival rate. The primary
phytochemical screening of aqueous leaf extract in the regenerants revealed the
presence of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, phenols, proteins, and saponins.
Quantification of phytochemical constituents showed that the amount of phenols was
highest, followed by lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, saponins and alkaloids in the
micropropagated plants. These phyto-constituents are known to cure numerous
ailments.
Production of Secondary Metabolites from Endangered and Commercially Important Medicinal Plants Through Cell and Tissue Culture Technology
Page: 182-200 (19)
Author: Fadime Karabulut, Mohammad Yaseen Mir* and Azra N. Kamili
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010012
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals such as alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins,
monoterpenes, flavonoids and amino acids are now being produced using plant cell
culture technologies. The standardization of plant metabolite processing technologies
using in vitro cultures assists in the understanding of their biosynthesis and
accumulation biology. The development of metabolites in plant cell cultures is affected
by a number of factors, including physical, chemical, nutritional and genetic factors.
The controlled production of plant metabolites in cell cultures is a viable alternative not
only for reducing pressure on the natural habitats of plant species but also for providing
year-round conditions for metabolite production. Exposure of cultured cells to biotic
and abiotic elicitors increased the production of plant metabolites. Hairy root induction
has recently been discovered to be effective in the production of metabolites
synthesized in various parts of plants.
Antimicrobial Efficacy of In Vitro Cultures and their Applications
Page: 201-212 (12)
Author: Nishi Kumari*, Pooja Jaiswal, Alpana Yadav, Ashish Gupta and Brajesh Chandra Pandey
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010013
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Treatment of microbial infections has become more challenging with the
evolution of antibiotic resistant microbes and indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Several
phytochemicals have shown potential inhibitory action against such microbes. These
antimicrobials have shown their efficacy in treating such infections. These natural
products also played significant role in restoration of activity of less effective
antibiotics, when used in combination with antibiotics. But still, scientists are facing
some major challenges in using such metabolites for medicines- there is urgent need to
explore more plants showing microbial inhibition activity, plant products from field
grown plants are not sufficient to meet the growing demand and purification of
antimicrobial compounds, so that dosage for patients can be finalized. Tissue culture
has emerged as great technology not only in the conservation of such medicinal plants
but it provides major application for the production of secondary metabolites. Various
micropropagules such as calli, in vitro cultures, and cell suspensions have shown their
potential for the production of pharmaceutically active compounds similar to mature
plants. Production of such phytochemicals can be enhanced by manipulating media
supplements, culture conditions and elicitations. As, in nature production of
antimicrobials is the result of interaction between the plants and microbes, therefore,
such interaction can be provided to in vitro cultures by biotic elicitation. In vitro
production of antimicrobial compounds has been reported in many plants such as
Ricinus communis, Calendula officinalis, Abrus precatorius, etc. Thus, plant tissue
culture paves an efficient and feasible method of production of such natural compounds
as an alternative of antibiotics.
The Contemporary Facts Towards In Vitro Production of the Plant-derived Medicinal Metabolites
Page: 213-264 (52)
Author: Boregowda Nandini, Kiran S. Mawale and Parvatam Giridhar*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010014
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Plants are active biochemical factories of a vast group of secondary
metabolites (SMs) and these SMs are indeed a basic source of various commercial
pharmaceutical drugs. From the prehistoric time, plants have been used for therapeutic
resolutions. Medicinal and aromatic plants are the biogenic pond of diverse forms of
SMs, which results in their overexploitation. There is an increasing need for the natural
phytochemicals from plants for sustainable and economical value forces their mass
production through in vitro plant tissue culture (PTC) methods. A vast quantity of
medicinal plants and their metabolites have been developed by in vitro culture
techniques in a small time period related to conventional methods. In vitro plant cell
cultures assist in a potential role in the commercial production of SMs. The novel
prime practices of in vitro techniques facilitate transgenic cultures and enlighten the
understanding lane of regulation and expression of biosynthetic pathways. SMs have
composite chemical alignment and are created in response to different forms of stress
to accomplish various physiological tasks in the plant host system. They are immensely
utilized in pharmaceutical industries, dietary supplements, cosmetics, fragrances, dyes,
flavors, etc. SMs are also termed specialised metabolites, secondary products, toxins or
natural products; these are basically organic compounds produced by plants and are not
directly involved in the growth and development of the plant. Instead, they usually
intervene with ecological interactions and conceivably produce selective support for
the plant host by increasing its survivability or productivity. Few SMs are specific for a
narrow set of plant species within a phylogenetic group. SMs habitually play a vital
role in the defense systems of plants against herbivory and other interspecies defences.
Human beings uses SMs mainly for medicines, pigments, flavourings and recreational
drugs. Prolonged use of these SMs in several industrial areas still needs to be focused
to enhance the fabrication by using in vitro PTC practices and optimizing their largescale fabrication using bioreactors. The present book chapter intends to highlight the
rationale of the in vitro production of SMs from medicinal plants and their progress in
the modern epoch for the mass production facts toward the step of commercial and
economical forte.
Harnessing the Potential of Plant Tissue Culture Techniques for the Herbal Industry
Page: 265-325 (61)
Author: Dechen Dolker, Kuldeep Kaur, Shashikanta Behera, Panchsheela Nogia, Sakshi Rawat, Vaishali Kumari and Pratap Kumar Pati*
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010015
PDF Price: $15
Abstract
Over the past few years, there has been a tremendous global shift of
preference toward herbal medicine because of its affordability, accessibility, efficacy,
and lesser side effects. The pharmacological and healing properties of the herbs are due
to the presence of a wide array of secondary metabolites. These metabolites are
biosynthesized through defined pathways and stored in various parts of the plant, like
leaf, root, rhizome, bark, and floral parts. In recent years due to the growing realization
of the pharmaceutical properties of medicinal plants, they have been subjected to
indiscriminate exploitation. Further, the lack of agrotechnology in many cases and the
nonavailability of broad genetic diversity provide impediments to their largescale
cultivation and improvement. This situation has created a huge gap between the
demand and supply of medicinal plants all over the world. Hence, rapidly propagating
high valued medicinal plants through unconventional technologies is warranted and
will provide high dividends to farmers and the herbal industry. Further, generating
large-scale healthy, genetically uniform plants with defined chemical content will
facilitate pre-clinical and translational studies. Therefore, efforts in the development of
robust in vitro propagation systems for herbal plants can address the core concern of
their conservation and large-scale utilization. Studies on cell suspension, hairy root
culture, and genetic transformation have provided the desired impetus in metabolic
engineering and enhanced their commercial value. The present article highlights some
of these developments and provides a futuristic perspective on the subject.
Subject Index
Page: 326-331 (6)
Author: Mohammad Anis and Mehrun Nisha Khanam
DOI: 10.2174/9789815165227124010016
Introduction
This book is a comprehensive review of secondary metabolite production from plant tissue culture. The editors have compiled 12 meticulously organized chapters that provide the relevant theoretical and practical frameworks in this subject using empirical research findings. The goal of the book is to explain the rationale behind in vitro production of secondary metabolites from some important medicinal plants. Biotechnological strategies like metabolic engineering and the biosynthesis, transport and modulation of important secondary metabolites are explained along with research studies on specific plants. In addition to the benefits of secondary metabolites, the book also aims to highlight the commercial value of medicinal plants for pharmaceutical and healthcare ventures. Topics covered in this part include: 1. Elicitation Strategies and Metabolic Engineering to boost metabolite production with case studies in metabolic engineering with examples of Scaevola Taccada and Catharanthus Roseus. 2. Stress response investigation and the role of glandular trichomes as bio-cell factories 3. Plant growth regulators and rapid regeneration techniques using swift plantlets regeneration and phytochemical characterization 4. Nutraceuticals, antimicrobials, and genomic applications of in vitro cultures with an example of Hassawi rice and its genomics 5. Sustainable approaches for saving endangered medicinal plants The book caters to a wide readership. It primarily prepares graduate students, researchers, biotechnologists, giving them a grasp of the key methodologies in the secondary metabolite production. It is a secondary reference for support executives, industry professionals, and policymakers at corporate and government levels to understand the importance of plant tissue culture and maximizing its impact in the herbal industry.