Critical factors influencing in vitro propagation and modulation of important secondary metabolites in Withania somnifera (L.) dunal

Abstract

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a valuable medicinal plant in the Solanaceae family. It is commonly known as Ashwagandha and is widely distributed around the globe. It has multiple pharmacological properties owing to the existence of diverse secondary metabolites viz., withanolide A, withanolide D, withaferin A, and withanone. It is in great demand in the herbal industry because of its extensive use. In this background, the major challenge lies in the rapid multiplication of elite cultivars of W. somnifera in order to produce genetically and phytoconstituents uniform plant material for pharmaceutical industries. Thus it is necessary to explore various biotechnological approaches for the clonal mass propagation and synthesis of pharmaceutically important constituents in W. somnifera . Though there are several studies on in vitro propagation on W. somnifera , yet many factors that critically influence the in vitro response and withanolides production need to be fine-tuned in the pretext of the existing knowledge. The current review focuses on the advancements and prospects in biotechnological interventions to meet the worldwide demands for W. somnifera and its bioactive compounds. This update on in vitro studies on W. somnifera will be useful to many researchers, entrepreneurs, and herbal industries looking for its in vitro mass multiplication and scientific utilization.

Micropropagation and elicited production of triterpenoid saponin glycosides and stigmasterol via precursor and elicitor feeding in Bacopa floribunda (R.Br.) Wettst.—A potential nootropic herb

“…Researchers also studied the influence of different elicitors (jasmonic acid, copper sulfate, and salicylic acid) on stimulation of bacoside production in shoot cultures of B. monnieri . Biotic (chitosan) and abiotic (salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate) elicitors directly affected the metabolite(s) production in medicinal plants ( Kaur et al., 2022 ). Among all various studied elicitors, MJ and SA have been well documented for the increased production of triterpenoid saponins in plant cell cultures ( Largia et al., 2015 ).…”

“…As compared with previous reported results, we found satisfactory results from in vitro grown biomass of B. floribunda treated with MJ and SA. Elicitation is a technique of inducing or increasing the production of secondary metabolites in plant tissue culture ( Kaur et al., 2022 ). According to the studies, elicitors may serve as signaling molecules in proper quantities, and when perceived by a plasma membrane receptor, they trigger a complex signal transduction network that regulates gene expression and leads to the production of the targeted compound(s).…”

Biotechnological interventions in banana: current knowledge and future prospects

“…Initiation of aseptic culture is one of the most important steps for the development of a robust micropropagation protocol ( Kaur et al., 2022 ). It involves the identification and selection of the desired explants, and the development of an effective explant sterilization process ( Loyola-Vargas and Ochoa-Alejo, 2018 ) (Figures 2 a, 2b).…”

“…For the shoot multiplication of banana, various plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as abscisic acid, auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins are used (Table S1). Cytokinins such as BAP, zeatin, thiadizuron (TDZ), and kinetin (KN) are used for the growth of axillary buds, and shoot multiplication, while auxins such as indole acetic acid (IAA), indole butyric acid (IBA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) promote root development ( Gupta et al., 2020 ; Kaur et al., 2022 ). BAP is the most preferred cytokinin to enhance shoot multiplication in Musa spp.…”

“…Genome editing is the latest approach that is in limelight for improving the different traits in crop plants ( Alvarez et al., 2021 ; Hüdig et al., 2022 ; Kaur et al., 2019 , 2022 ). Although, there are not many reports on exploring the potential of genome editing for the genetic improvement of bananas, yet, in the forthcoming era, genome editing may act as a saviour for sustaining banana cultivation.…”