Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology

Main conclusion This study at high-altitude alpine environment reveals the molecular signatures associated with stress response and secondary metabolite accumulation, contributing to Picrorhiza kurroa adaptation, which is primarily regulated by a strong interplay of phytohormones. Abstract The high-altitude alpine environment is an extreme and variable environment with unique combinations of abiotic/biotic stresses. Despite progress about plant response to individual and combined abiotic stress in controlled conditions, our knowledge of plant adaptations to multifactorial stress combinations that typically occur in alpine environments is limiting. Here, we utilized the high-altitude medicinal herb Picrorhiza kurroa to investigate how multifactorial stress combinations prevailing along the high-altitude gradient at the western Himalayas affect gene expression and cellular pathways. Leaf transcriptional dynamics identified 7,388 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs), highlighting unique gene expression patterns, specific pathways, and processes that play a crucial role in plant response to the complex micro-environment of high-altitude. Gene regulatory response largely relies on basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH), no apical meristem (NAC), and ethylene responsive factor (ERF) transcription factor families. Further, unigenes associated with secondary metabolism, multiple abiotic/biotic stress responses, and a variety of cellular and reproductive developmental processes were activated through complex cross-talk among plant hormonal signal transduction pathways. The weak correlation between gene expression and corresponding protein accumulation could predict stress-responsive protein abundance largely under different post-transcriptional/translational regulation. These findings recognize an array of new candidate genes for climate resilience, which would contribute to further our research on high-altitude alpine plant adaptations.

Climate change is the most prevalent issue in the last decades and is likely to accelerate due to anthropogenic factors. One of the most prominent contributors to climate change is the agricultural sector, which includes the release of greenhouse gases, large volumes of organic agro-waste, and deforestation, to name a few. The industry itself is also heavily impacted, as plants are sensitive to slight environmental changes, which include increases in temperature and CO2, drought, altered nutrient availability in the soil, and xenobiotics. The impact of climate change and unregulated agroecosystems can be categorized as direct and indirect, particularly concerning microbial diversity. The consequences include changes in environmental conditions that affect the soil microbiome of crops, ultimately decreasing productivity and yield. Microbes are essential for nutrient acquisition from the soil, maintaining soil health and biodiversity, and helping in biocontrol along with bioremediation of the soil. The microbes not only fulfil the criteria of a biofertilizer but also increase resistance against diseases by maintaining a healthy soil microbiome. Biofertilizers in agroecosystems are increasingly growing as they put less strain on the soil microbial community than synthetic fertilizers. Recent technological advancements like metaproteomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, and novel gene-altering methods have significantly improved our understanding of the role of the microbiome in crop improvement and development. Rhizosphere engineering has shown promising results in improving crop yields and productivity. However, a deeper understanding of dynamics in microbial diversity and plant–microbe interaction in agroecosystems is essential to keep up with the changing climate. Advancing research in this field, with a focus on the role of microbial diversity in enhancing plant growth and resistance against diseases using advanced technologies, is crucial in developing sustainable agricultural practices that are better equipped to adapt to an evolving climate.

Global climate change poses most significant environmental threat to agriculture, necessitating the development of climate-resilient and high-yielding crop plants to ensure a sustainable food supply. In recent decades, advances in understanding the complex genotype-phenotype relationships underlying agronomic traits have comprehensively applied various omics tools to address specific biological challenges. These tools include genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, each analyzing plant systems in terms of gene expression profiles, protein composition, metabolite levels, and protein content. These omics approaches have been incorporated into nearly every commercial cereal breeding program due to their significant time-saving benefits in both pre-breeding and breeding phases. They have been crucial in understanding how crops respond to biotic and abiotic stresses and their growth, development, and yield patterns. This review offers a comprehensive overview of these omics methodologies and their applications in crop improvement. Integrating functional genomics with other omics technologies may help researchers better understand the relationships between crop genomes and their phenotypes under various physiological and environmental conditions. This integration provides a solid rationale for adopting these methods in breeding programs. It adds substantial value by offering insights that can lead to the development of more resilient and productive crop varieties. This review may bridge the gap between advanced genomic research and practical agricultural applications, contributing to the field by providing strategies for improving crop resilience and yield in the face of climatic challenges.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been linked to various health benefits, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity effects. Obesity, marked by abnormal fat deposition, increases the risk of metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular diseases and type-2 diabetes. Natural anti-adipogenic modulators with insulin sensitivity are one of the approaches to address the issue. In the present study, four distinct CLA-producing probiotic strains (Lacticaseibacillus paracasei LUL:01, Latilactobacillus curvatus LGM:16, Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum LRJ1:09, and Enterococcus faecalis LJM:05) were assessed in vitro for their potential anti-adipogenic properties using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Out of four strains, LGM:16 inhibited lipid accumulation (100.27%), reduced intracellular triglyceride content (168.42, 168.16, and 153.66 mg/dL in a dose-dependent manner), and enhanced insulin sensitivity (32.23%) by increasing glucose uptake. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed the expression genes (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and GLUT-4) in LGM:16 strain. Consequently, LGM: 16 was used to develop a non-dairy probiotic formulation incorporating honey and Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom, ensuring a probiotic count above the minimum recommended level of 6 Log10 CFU/mL. Further, response surface methodology optimized probiotic beverage formulation to achieve favorable nutritional, good sensory profile, antioxidant, and anti-obesity activity, making it a promising candidate for health benefits.

One of the major challenges in medicinal plant cultivation is seed dormancy which occurs more frequently in wild plants than crop plants. Seed dormancy enables seeds to endure periods that are unfavorable for seedling establishment. It may arise due to many factors like impermeable seed coat to water and oxygen, rudimentary and dormant embryo and germination inhibitors. Multiple mechanisms are known to be involved in the induction of dormancy and the transition from dormant to germination. Scarifications, stratification, chilling are some of the important ways to overcome different types of dormancy. Saussurea costus, Inula racemosa, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and Bunium persicum are some of the important endangered medicinal plants of western Himalaya. These medicinal plants are in great demand in the pharmaceutical industry. These medicinal plants grow under diverse agro-climatic conditions of the western Himalayas’ sub-temperate and dry temperate regions. Overharvesting of these medicinal plants from their natural habitat has resulted in the extinction of their population. Poor seed germination is one of the major limiting factors for their ex-situ conservation and large-scale cultivation. This review explores the mechanisms involved in the seed dormancy and their alleviation strategies. Considering the findings, these dormancy alleviation methods can be applied to cultivate these medicinal plants successfully in the western Himalayan region.

The present review focusses on an innovative therapeutic approach utilizing nanoparticle based strategies to simultaneously combat bacterial and cancer cell progression via targeting common cell surface receptors.

A prevalent pathobiont, Candida albicans, accounts for approximately 70% of fungal infections worldwide owing to its virulence traits that culminate in devastating fatalities within healthcare facilities. Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) between Homo sapiens and C. albicans play a pivotal role in infection and disease progression. Additionally, scarcity of information on H. sapiens–C. albicans protein–protein interactions makes it difficult to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying infection and host immune responses. Investigating these PPIs can provide crucial insights into host–pathogen relationships and facilitate the development of novel therapeutic interventions. To address this challenge, we utilized computational techniques based on homology and domain to project 56,515 human-fungal pathogen protein–protein interactions (HF-PPIs) involving 6830 human and 486 C. albicans proteins. We have identified 16 key virulence factors of C. albicans, including SOD1, ERG10, GFA1, and VPS4, as potential therapeutic targets. As evidenced by dual RNA-Seq data acquired at various stages of infection such as 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min, these fungal genes interact with down-regulated human immunomodulatory genes specifically, ADRM1, DAXX, RYBP, SGTA, and SRGN. In addition to their intrinsically disordered regions, these human genes are particularly susceptible to fungal manipulation. Through the identification of experimentally validated virulence factors and their interaction partners, this investigation constructs HF-PPI between H. sapiens and C. albicans. Our knowledge of human-fungal pathogen protein–protein interactions will be improved by integrating computational and experimental data in order to facilitate the development of efficient fungal infection prevention and treatment protocols.

Gladiolus, a genus of flowering bulbous plants commonly called as Queen of bulbous plants has great commercial value as cut flower crops and decorative garden plants. Approximately 255 species of gladiolus are present and the majority of modern day cultivars originate from a variety of genetic backgrounds. Modern cultivars are tetraploids with chromosome numbers ranging from 2n = 30 to 120. Breeding new gladiolus cultivars via genetic engineering or traditional crossbreeding is only achievable in circumstances where substantial genetic resources are available. In recent times, numerous untamed Gladiolus species have faced extinction due to urbanization and globalization. In order to create new varieties and prevent the extinction of rare species, germplasm conservation is crucial as a source of genetic variation. Gladiolus germplasm has been preserved using a variety of in vitro and in vivo methods, such as cryopreservation, which reduces the labour-intensive process of frequently transferring plants grown in culture or in a greenhouse while enable ing the maintenance of plant lines in a limited space. Various biotechnological tools namely molecular markers, recombinant DNA technology, tissue culture, genome editing are being utilized for creating gladiolus cultivars with novel floricultural traits.

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins are critical defense signaling molecules induced by phytopathogens. They play a vital role in plants' defense signaling pathways and innate immunity, particularly in systemic acquired resistance (SAR), and serve as key molecular markers of plant defense. Overexpressing PR genes, such as chitinase, Thaumatin, glucanase, thionin, and defensin, individually or in combination, have significantly boosted plants' defense responses against various pathogens. However, signaling pathways regulating the expression of these versatile proteins remain only partially understood. Plant hormones like salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) are known for their well-established roles in regulating PR gene responses to pathogens and other stress conditions. PR genes interact with various components of hormonal signaling pathways, including receptors (e.g., NPR1 in SA signaling), transcription factors (e.g., MYC2 in JA signaling), and cis-regulating elements (e.g., W-box), to modulate plant defense responses. Recent studies have highlighted the contributions of different plant hormones to plant immunity and their interactions with PR proteins in a process known as hormonal crosstalk, which helps coordinate immunity activation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the PR proteins, their complexity, and hormonal crosstalk in immunity, aiming to understand these interactions for improved pathogen resistance.

Zephyranthes grandiflora Lindl. (Pink Rain Lily) is a cultivated bulbous ornamental plant from the Amaryllidaceae family, known for its medicinal potential, especially as a natural source of galantamine (GAL), an anti-Alzheimer drug. This study aimed to develop an efficient clonal propagation system for Z. grandiflora using mature bulbs as explants, as in vitro regeneration in the Amaryllidaceae family is often challenging. Bulbs of different sizes—whole (E1), vertically sectioned halved (E2), and vertically sectioned quartered (E3) were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with varying concentrations of 6-benzyl adenine (BA) and meta-topolin (mT). Direct adventitious bulblet formation was achieved, with the maximum frequency of regeneration observed on MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L⁻¹ mT. The E3 explants resulted in the highest frequency (100%) of in vitro shoot induction, producing an average of 4.40 shoots with a length of 4.26 cm. Additionally, mT outperformed BAP in promoting rhizogenesis. The use of MS medium with 1.5 mg L⁻¹ mT, 0.5 mg L⁻¹ NAA (α-Naphthalene acetic acid), and 0.25 mg L⁻¹ GA₃ (Gibberellic acid) enhanced shoot length (15.30 cm) and bulblet production (10.33 bulblets), though the bulblets had reduced weight (146.00 mg) and diameter (0.33 cm). Increased sucrose concentration (120 g L⁻¹) and paclobutrazol (5 mg L⁻¹) further improved bulblet number (3.35) and diameter (1.02 cm) and endogeneous sugar levels (3.09 mg g⁻¹) in bulbs. In vitro-regenerated bulblets were hardened successfully. Genetic uniformity in the micro-propagated plants was confirmed using start codon-targeted (SCoT) markers, and biochemical analysis showed enhanced levels of photopigments, phenolics, and flavonoids, in mT-raised plants. Notably, in vitro bulblets had an increased galantamine content (303.33 µg g⁻¹ FW) compared to field-grown plants. This mT-mediated protocol highlights the dual role of mT in Z. grandiflora propagation, enhancing both regeneration efficiency and galantamine production. The approach offers a reliable method for the large-scale propagation of this medicinally valuable ornamental species, ensuring genetic consistency and enhancing its therapeutic potential.

In this article, we commented on the work done by Jiang et al , where they synthesized a kakkatin derivative, 6-(hept-6-yn-1-yloxy)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (HK), and investigated its antitumor activities and mechanism in gastric cancer MGC803 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) SMMC-7721 cells. HK was evaluated for its antitumor activity as compared to kakkatin and cisplatin. This article focused on various risk factors of HCC, the mechanism of HCC progression and molecular targets of the kakkatin derivative, and limitations of available treatment options. HCC is a predominant form of primary liver cancer characterized by the accumulation of multiple gene modifications, overexpression of protooncogenes, altered immune microenvironment, and infiltration by immune cells. Puerariae flos (PF) has been used in traditional medicine in China, Korea, and Japan for lung clearing, spleen awakening, and relieving alcohol hangovers. PF exerts antitumor activity by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. PF induces apoptosis in alcoholic HCC via the estrogen-receptor 1-extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 signaling pathway. Kakkatin isolated from PF is known as a hepatoprotective bioflavonoid. The kakkatin derivative, HK, exhibited anticancer activity against HCC cell lines by inhibiting cell proliferation and upregulating nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 and phosphodiesterase 3B. However, further preclinical and clinical studies are required to establish its therapeutic potential against HCC.

In the last 25 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 11 new molecular entities (NMEs) comprising quinoline as core moiety. These drugs are primarily used for the treatment of anemia, malaria, hepatitis, and various types of cancer, i.e., lung, breast, kidney, and blood cancer and thyroid. Based on their approval date, a chronological discussion on these marketed drugs is provided. This review summarized the industrial synthesis, mechanism of action and clinical uses of the quinoline-based FDA-approved NMEs 21st century.

Presently there has been a growing interest in the development of dietary‐based interventions as alternative therapies to combat chronic neurological conditions like epilepsy. Medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT) are composed of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone and have shown several beneficial effects in various neurological diseases. The present study investigated MCT supplementation's impact on seizure severity and associated neurobehavioral comorbidities in a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) mouse kindling model. Mice were administered 35 mg/kg ( i.p .) of PTZ every other day for kindling induction. The kindled mice were then subjected to MCT supplementation for over 25 days with seizure scoring at every 5th day following PTZ exposure. Behavioral analysis was initiated at the end of 25 days of the MCT supplementation. After that, lipid peroxidation assay, and, gene and protein expression studies were performed in the isolated hippocampus. MCT significantly decreased seizure severity scores compared to control. The treatment reduced immobility duration in the forced swim and tail suspension tests, indicating a reversal of seizures‐associated depression‐like behavior. A significant reduction in the percentage of spontaneous alternation was observed in the kindled control group in the T‐maze test, which remained unchanged following MCT supplementation in the treated group. Furthermore, no change was observed in the locomotion and anxiety index of the kindled mice supplemented with MCT compared to the control group. In addition, the supplementation attenuated the altered hippocampal lipid peroxidation, and mRNA and protein levels of mTOR and Gsk‐3β. The study concluded that MCT supplementation suppresses epileptic seizures and associated depression‐like behavior in kindled mice via interacting mTOR and Gsk‐3β signaling.

Cognition is a complex biological process that makes humans superior to other mammals. However, due to altered lifestyles and dietary habits with modern lifestyles, humans are more vulnerable to various neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades are the two pathophysiological events initiated gradually due to an imbalance in the ‘prakriti’ of the human, which leads to cognitive dysfunction. Numerous approved drugs are available to overcome cognition-related issues, but all are associated with many side effects. So, currently, researchers are more focused on plant-based therapies due to their pleiotropic nature and fewer side effects for chronic use. Plentiful clinical evidence suggests that Ayurvedic treatments help to improve the quality of a patient’s life having neurological conditions. Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Shankhapushpi, Guduchi, Turmeric, and Yastimadhu are a few examples of herbs listed in Ayurveda to combat neurological disorders, especially cognitive deficits. The herbal extracts and formulations are rich in essential amino acids, proteins, and multiple secondary metabolites, which work synergistically. This chapter discusses the Ayurvedic basis of cognitive deficits. Further, detailed information on the Ayurvedic and dietary interventions available to combat cognitive impairments has also been included in this chapter.

The immune response is a biological control mechanism to confer defences against noxious stimuli triggered by invading microbes or intrinsic signals such as damaged cells. The immune system is distributed across the entire body and is a complex assemblage of organs, tissues, cells, and soluble substances. However, self-perpetuation and over-aggravation of immune system are also responsible for a variety of diseases in humans. Ayurveda, as the science of life, promotes utilizing nature’s resources to live a healthy and happy lifestyle. It is a plant-based science, practiced traditionally and scientifically proven as immune modulators for various inflammatory, infectious, and metabolic disorders. Several Ayurveda plants, decoctions, and formulations are well known for their various health beneficial effects. The above -mentioned Nutri-Ayurvedics have been shown to play a significant role in regulating various vital cell signalling pathways involved in different anomalies. They also play an essential role in immunity by interfering with innate and adaptive immune cell regulation, especially proinflammatory cytokine synthesis and cell activation. Considering this, nowadays, most of the natural Ayurveda plants and products are processed and developed as immunomodulators and immunosuppressants with effective anti-oxidative, anti-mitotic, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and anticarcinogenic properties for their intended therapeutic use. In this chapter, we discuss different practised Ayurveda plants, herbs, and formulations as nutraceutical or nutritionals for their biological potential and how these molecules regulate innate and adaptive immune responses. We have also discussed and compared the depth of knowledge available from previous works, which emphasizes the importance of developing plant-extract-based and bioactive constituent-based preventive and therapeutic approaches as alternatives to synthetic counterparts.

Cancer is a complex, systemic, proliferative disease that causes nearly ten million deaths worldwide each year. Modern therapies, although effective, possess increased side effects, high drug discovery costs, disease relapse, and patient non-compliance, which have led to the inclination of the general population toward traditional interventions. Hence, Ayurvedic products, backed by a rich traditional history of over 5000 years, have gained traction in the last few decades. Ayurvedic formulations contain multiple ingredients and bioactive components which can target multiple biological pathways and cellular functions. Various nutraceuticals from plants claim cancer treatment, which has been extensively discussed in Ayurveda. Furthermore, a balanced intake of nutraceuticals works synergistically with Ayurvedic therapies since nutritional imbalance results in various risk factors associated with cancer. These comprise dietary elements, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids, and other substances or constituents, which are meant to complement the diet. Additionally, some preclinical studies indicate that a balanced diet containing multiple nutraceuticals may protect against carcinogens by preventing oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and regulating gut microbiota. Exploring the ethnopharmacological claims made by various traditional practices has led to several nutritional-Ayurvedic combinations in the global market. Here, we review some interventions of Ayurvedic and nutritional approaches for the wellness of cancer patients.

In the realm of traditional medicine, Ajuga parviflora (Neelkanthi), a member of the Labiatae family, has long been valued for its therapeutic properties. This research is aimed to explore the pharmacognostic traits of A. parviflora (aerial and underground parts), which include organoleptic and microscopic examinations, elemental analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening, and physicochemical properties evaluations. Organoleptic and microscopic assessments revealed characteristic features and intricate arrangements of cellular structures within A. parviflora leaves and roots. In the elemental analysis, toxic heavy metals (Cd, & Pd) were found absent, while micro (Mn, Na, Zn, Cu) and macro (Ca, Fe, Mg, K) elements were found significant. The preliminary phytochemical screening also revealed the presence of different classes of compounds. Further, physicochemical analysis of aerial and underground parts showed foreign matter (9.96–12.38%), moisture content (28.15–30.43%), total ash values (15.1–17.09%), and pH of different parts extracts were found in the range of 6.82–8.30. Additionally, essential oils (EOs) were extracted from the aerial and underground parts of A. parviflora using a Clevenger apparatus. The volatile composition of the oil was profiled using GC–MS analysis and identified 21 diversified metabolites that account for 86.27–93.4% of the total oils of different samples. Patchouli alcohol (72.77%), seychellene (6.23%), phytone (56.62–1.13%), and β-guaiene (2.49%) emerged as a major volatile components of A. parviflora. Overall findings suggested quality measures for the standardization, identification, and quality control of A. parviflora.

Maternal haploids, harboring only a single set of chromosomes from the mother plant, have revolutionized plant breeding and crop improvement. By circumventing the lengthy process of natural chromosome doubling, these maternal haploids dramatically accelerate the breeding cycle, resulting in the development of completely homozygous doubled haploid (DH) lines. We explore how maternal haploids contribute to the creation of pure lines, robust hybrids, and novel varieties tailored to address environmental challenges. Their ability to efficiently transfer desirable traits, such as pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, and enhanced yield potential, makes them invaluable tools in breeding. Integration of maternal haploids into hybrid seed production streamlines the process and reduces costs, further enhancing their economic impact. Beyond practical applications, the scientific contributions of maternal haploids cover elucidation of genomic imprinting phenomena, ethical considerations surrounding their use, and their potential for future integration with emerging technologies in maize breeding. This chapter comprehensively provides a critical overview of maternal haploids, highlighting their multifaceted potentials for the advancement of crop breeding, taking maize as an example, and offering a great scope for crop improvement.