Biotechnological Advances in Pharmacognosy and In Vitro Manipulation of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.

Abstract

Trees are vital resources for economic, environmental, and industrial growth, supporting human life directly or indirectly through a wide variety of therapeutic compounds, commodities, and ecological services. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) is one of the most valuable multipurpose forest trees in India and Sri Lanka, as it is cultivated for quality wood as well as pharmaceutically bioactive compounds, especially from the stem bark and heartwood. However, propagation of the tree in natural conditions is difficult due to the low percentage of seed germination coupled with overexploitation of this species for its excellent multipurpose properties. This overexploitation has ultimately led to the inclusion of P. marsupium on the list of endangered plant species. However, recent developments in plant biotechnology may offer a solution to the overuse of such valuable species if such advances are accompanied by technology transfer in the developing world. Specifically, techniques in micropropagation, genetic manipulation, DNA barcoding, drug extraction, delivery, and targeting as well as standardization, are of substantial concern. To date, there are no comprehensive and detailed reviews of P. marsupium in terms of biotechnological research developments, specifically pharmacognosy, pharmacology, tissue culture, authentication of genuine species, and basic gene transfer studies. Thus, the present review attempts to present a comprehensive overview of the biotechnological studies centered on this species and some of the recent novel approaches for its genetic improvement.

Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential of Bioactive Compounds from Rhinacanthus nasutus Cell Suspension Culture

“…Plant tissue and cell cultures, especially callus and cell suspension cultures, offer a promising platform for the production of high-value bioactive compounds from plants to be used for medical and pharmaceutical purposes [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. PGRs, particularly auxins and cytokinins, play an important role in the growth and development of plant cells, and they have been widely used to induce callus formation in many plant species [ 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Advanced biotechnological strategies towards the development of crops with enhanced micronutrient content

“…Significant developments in biotechnological approaches during the recent years through hybridization, mutation, and transgenic technologies have paved the way towardsthe development of genetically improved crop varieties (Lusser et al 2012 ). In the late 90s, genome manipulation via mutagenesis and transgenic breeding approaches led to theimprovements many traits in crops and helped producing several high-yielding varieties (Ahmad et al 2022 ). Advanced biotechnological approaches require comprehensive knowledge of gene sequences, regulatory pathways, cell signaling, enzyme kinetics, and the phenotypic consequences of genetic manipulation, respectively.Modern biotechnological approaches have the potentialto modify or alter different metabolic pathways to increase the content of desirable substances or minerals.…”

Integrated mass spectrometry imaging and single‐cell transcriptome atlas strategies provide novel insights into taxoid biosynthesis and transport in Taxus mairei stems

“…Taxol was first isolated from the stem bark of the Pacific yew ( Taxus brevifolia ) and subsequently detected in all Taxus species (Hu et al., 2022). In plants, the stem is the major accumulation site of medicinal compounds, e.g., several unique active constituents, such as vijyayosin, pterosupin, marsupsin, and pterostilbene, accumulate in the stem bark and heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium (Ahmad et al., 2022). Ellagitannins and triterpenoids, which are used in traditional medicine, significantly accumulate in the stem bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus DC (Akande et al., 2022).…”