Mohammad Faisal

• PhD (Plant Biotechnology)
• Professor (Associate) at King Saud University

Aechmea bracteata (Sw.) Griseb. is an important bromeliad and is considered for ex situ conservation. Epiphytism and Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) make this species resilient to ecological stresses. This study aimed to illustrate the periodic development of epiphytic structural traits in micropropagated plantlets of A. bracteata through in vit...

Ferocactus peninsulae (F.A.C. Weber) Britton & Rose, commonly known as the barrel cactus, is a distinctive and visually striking succulent belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is renowned for its impressive size and robust, barrel-shaped structure. F. peninsulae faces potential threats from habitat destruction and illegal collection. This study in...

In the current investigation, the combination of selenium (Se) and epibrassinolide (EBL) exhibited a promising alleviative response against the concurrent stress of heat and drought in wheat plants. The compromised growth and photosynthetic performance of wheat plants under the combined stress of heat and drought were substantially improved with th...

Unfavorable environmental conditions pose a major barrier to sustainable agriculture. Among the various innovative strategies developed to protect plants from abiotic stress, the use of phytohormones and nanoparticles as “stress mitigators” has emerged as one of the most important and promising approaches. The objective of this study was to observe...

Pisonia grandis R. Br. is a tree commonly found in urban coastal and tropical regions, valued for its ornamental beauty and utility in agroforestry and traditional medicine. To facilitate its propagation, particularly through in vitro techniques, this study aimed to refine a propagation system by inducing adventitious buds from node explants of mat...

This study investigates the potential of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with Maerua crassifolia leaf extracts to enhance the production of bioactive compounds in Ruta chalepensis callus, alongside evaluating biomass growth, phytochemical content, antioxidant enzymes, and activities. AgNPs were characterized using transmission...

Traditional methods of cultivating medicinal plants are frequently confronted with hurdles like fluctuating secondary metabolite content, prolonged growth cycles, and environmental constraints. The resultant variability poses challenges to the consistent and efficient production of secondary metabolites, impeding the establishment of standardized a...

Background Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees, generally referred to as ‘Male bamboo,’ is a globally prevalent and highly significant species of bamboo. It is a versatile species and possesses notable industrial significance. However, despite its numerous applications, the production of this plant is insufficient to fulfill the worldwide demand. T...

The present study highlights the effect of silver nitrate (AgNO3) in the promotion of in vitro regeneration and morpho-structural growth and developments in Oxystelma esculentum (L.f.) Sm. The incorporation of AgNO3 into the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium resulted in a favorable enhancement of shoot proliferation. Among the different concentration...

Nanosilicon positively affects the growth and development of plants. Investigations were carried out to analyse the effect of applied silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on the multiplication and rooting of the shoots...

Secondary metabolites accumulate in tissues as a defense reaction viz. a viz. of several abiotic stress agents, including salinity, drought, and extreme temperatures among others. In this review, the authors examined the different routes of exposure of metal oxide NPs in plants, and also their role as novel elicitors of important phenols, flavonoid...

Santalum album L. (Santalaceae) is an endangered tree species with high economic potential. To improve its cultivation, the role of strigolactone on the somatic embryogenesis of Santalum leaves was analyzed. Leaves were cultivated in vitro using GR24 (a synthetic analogue of strigolactone) at various concentrations (from 0.1 to 1.0 mg L−1) and meta...

Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium improved micropropagation of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. (Apocynaceae), a valuable and threatened medicinal plant. Nodal explant-derived shoots amplified (130 shoots/inoculum/culture vessel) on MS medium + 1.0 mg L⁻¹ SiNPs and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.5 m...

We investigated the anticancer mechanism of a chloroform extract of marine sponge (Haliclona fascigera) (sample C) in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. Viability analysis using MTT and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays showed that sample C exposure decreased the proliferation of cells. Flow cytometric data exhibited reactive oxygen species (...

We developed a highly efficient protocol for the short-term conservation and in vitro regeneration of Ruta chalepensis L. This involved encapsulating nodal segments (NS) in a sodium-alginate solution (3% w/v) and calcium chloride (100 mM) to produce synthetic seeds. The effect of various concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the conve...

Experimental studies have been conducted to evaluate the induction of mini-tubers in vitro from shoots of Dioscorea pentaphylla L. as affected by applications of Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs). Amorphous nano-silica is a low-cost material and is considered biologically safe because of its biodegradability. A maximum number of mini-tubers (1.9) per s...

Management of cleft lip and palate is a complex procedure that requires multiple surgeries and placement of autogenous grafts for the closure of primary defects or to correct any secondary deformities. The use of dermal fillers, fat grafts, and alloplastic materials for lip augmentation has been well established in literature. However, there is no...

Thepresentstudyaimedtoanalyzetheeffectofsiliconnanoparticles(SiNPs)ontheinvitroproliferationofshoots,biomassproduction,foliarmicro-structuralfeatures,androot-inducingabilityinVitextrifoliaL.Budbreakingwasachievedfromaxillarymeristemson2.5mg/Lof 6 benzylaminopurine(BAP)inMurashigeandSkoog’s(MS)medium.Theshootswereproliferated(18.0§0.39shoots)on0.75m...

Bambusa nutans Wall. is a clump-forming, evergreen bamboo species that is most often found in Southeast Asian forests. Comparative activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS) and peroxidase (POX) as well as expression of peroxidase isozymes during somatic embryogenesis (SE) were investigated in the segregated embryogenic callus...

Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (lemongrass or citronella) is a herb of therapeutic potential highly sought by various industries due to the presence of essential oil. In vitro propagation of commercial crops is highly desirable; it is an alternative approach for the production of quality planting materials. But the plantlets encounter certain morp...

Experimental studies were conducted on the effects of seismic stress on (a) in vitro shoot proliferation and (b) induction of stress tolerance in Dioscorea pentaphylla L. cultivated in vitro. The morphometric traits in plantlets developed under in vitro seismic stress set at 60 rpm for 8.0 min twice a day for 4 weeks promoted the number of shoots p...

Systematic studies on incorporation of Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on the micropropagation and promotion of desirable morpho-anatomical features in cloned plantlets of Santalum album (Santalaceae) have been conducted. In vitro generated shoots were cultivated on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) medium containing 0.5 to 3.0 mg L− 1 of SiNPs with pre-opt...

The difficult propagation of shrub and tree species and their extensive exposure to grazing threaten their abundance and lead to the necessity to find alternative means of propagation for these species. In vitro micropropagation techniques, viz., tissue culture, offer a promising tool for the rapid, cost-effective, and efficient propagation of diff...

Recent studies in nanomedicine have intensively explored the prospective applications of surface-tailored graphene oxide (GO) as anticancer entity. However, the efficacy of nonfunctionalized graphene oxide nanolayers (GRO-NLs) as an anticancer agent is less explored. In this study, we report the synthesis of GRO-NLs and their in vitro anticancer po...

Background: Free radicals exist as unstable and highly reactive substances, occurring both in and outside the body. Free radicals are labeled as electron-hungry molecules formed from metabolism and endogenous burning of oxygen. They are transported in cells, upsetting the arrangement of molecules and instigating cellular injury. Hydroxyl radical (...

The poor rooting of in vitro-raised shootlets is a major bottleneck and severely affects the survival rate of plantlets in field conditions. Hedyotis biflora is used as a model plant to study the impact of Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on in vitro adventitious root formation and their structural developments in this study. The in vitro proliferated...

Introduction: Management of cleft lip and palate is a complex procedure that requires multiple surgeries and placement of autogenous grafts for the closure of primary defects or to correct any secondary deformities. The use of dermal fillers, fat grafts, and alloplastic materials for lip augmentation have been well established in literature. Howeve...

Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is an ornamental shrub. Viable seeds are not produced due to genetic incompatibility constraining propagation. An in vitro culture method is developed for the production of plants for the species. Surface-sterilized explants exhibited bud breaking on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium + 2.0 mg L⁻¹ 6...

Authors report the application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the plant tissue culture system for effective and reproducible in vitro propagation of Gaillardia pulchella cv. ‘Torch Yellow’ for the year-round production of quality planting materials for the first time. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with 1.0 mg L⁻¹ of 6-benzylaminopur...

Soil salinity is one of the main barriers to increasing global food production as it reduces crop growth and productivity. While irrigated lands in arid climates (about 20% of total affected) are more prone to salinization, many other natural and anthropogenic factors contribute to an increase in salinity in arable lands that currently affects over...

Bambusa nutans Wall. is a clump-forming, evergreen bamboo species that is most often found in Southeast Asian forests. Comparative activities of nitrate reductase (NR), glutamine synthetase (GS) and peroxidase (POX) as well as expression of peroxidase isozymes during somatic embryogenesis (SE) were investigated in the segregated embryogenic callus...

A novel and effective direct shoot regeneration technique from stomatal complexes was developed for a highly sought after medicinal plant Coleus forskohlii. Meta-Topolin was more efficient than 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) in promoting direct organogenesis from leaf surface. Highest direct organogenesis was achieved from in vitro leaf explants on Mura...

Vitex negundo L. (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic species used to cure several illnesses worldwide. The plant is a panacea of herbal formulations with several of its metabolites exhibiting significant pharmacological properties. The present study is an attempt to find the impact of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) on inducing in vitro flowering in V. negund...

Call for Papers on “Nanotechnology and nanoparticles in vitro” Nanotechnology and nanoparticles in vitro Both in vitro propagation and gene transfer approaches require efficient and reproducible strategies for plant regeneration as a prerequisite, and in recent years, treatments with nanoparticles (NPs) have successfully eliminated microbial cont...

Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (Cape jasmine) is a horticultural plant. It is difficult to cultivate species due to pathogen sensitivity; hence, the demand for this species is gradually increasing. Thus, micropropagation would be a convenient tool to produce quality planting material, but the higher rate of mortality constitutes a constraint to larg...

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng is a perennial plant from the mint family with aromatic, succulent leaves and several health benefits. Multiple shoot regeneration was accomplished in vitro using nodal segments (NS) explants of P. amboinicus pretreated with 0, 0.5, 5, 25, 50, and 100 μM thidiazuron (TDZ) for 4 h, then transferred to a growth...

The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agricultural fields has risen to a level where people are considering NPs as an alternative to commercial fertilizers. The input of copper oxide NPs (CuO NPs) as seed primers was investigated in this study, and the growth indices of Brassica juncea such as phenotypic parameters, photosynthetic attributes, and bioch...

The present study aimed to determine the foliar micro-morpho-anatomical features of in vitro cultured Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (Rubiaceae) to compare the effect of exogenous supplementation of growth regulators (cytokinins; 6-benzylaminopurine and Kinetin), in order to attenuate heterotrophic nutrition (in vitro) induced structural disorders i...

Caralluma umbellata Haw. is a rare and endemic xerophyte with astonishing therapeutic properties. It is used as an appetite suppressant and in weight loss management program. The natural population of this plant is decreasing due to overharvesting from the forests as an ethnomedicine. Therefore, an effective in vitro propagation system was develope...

Substantial progress has been made in the micropropagation of orchid species using biotechnological interventions, but the commercial viability of the technique has been hindered by increased mortality of plantlets out of culture vessels. This is attributed to the development of in vitro-induced structural and physiological abnormalities in the pla...

Background HSP90, a critical molecular chaperone, has become a promising molecular target to be involved in multiple signaling pathways of tumor progression and metastasis. Objective This study intends to find a novel phytolead targeting HSP90. Methods In this scenario, we employed an in silico combinatorial approach incorporating 3D-QSAR, pharma...

Vanilla planifolia – a natural source of vanillin is the world's highest-valued spice crop with endangered status and the only hand-pollinated crop globally. The present study evaluates the effect of exogenous silver nitrate (AgNO3) on effective direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis in V. planifolia for the first time. The direct and indirect s...

Cremastra appendiculata var. variabilis (Blume) I.D. Lund), also known as single-leaf cremastra (SLC), is a rare and threatened species native to Korea, and it has the potential to be grown as a beautiful flowering pot or garden plant. There is still no reliable strategy to multiply SLC. Thus, an effective method for propagating single-leaf cremast...

The present study was intended to develop an effective micropropagation system of the economically important ‘Grand Nain’ variety of Musa acuminata Colla (AAA) having high structural fidelity and significant potential to multiply shoots under in vitro conditions using the non-conventional cytokinin 6-benzoyladenine (BOA, C12H9N5O). The young sword...

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng is a medicinally important aromatic perennial herb used for the treatment of skin diseases, constipation, asthma, flu, fever, cough, and headache as well as a flavoring ingredient in traditional drinks, food, and meat stuffing. In this study, a high-performance in vitro propagation system of P. amboinicus thro...

Crinum malabaricum Lekhak & Yadav is a recently discovered and critically endangered aquatic bulbous plant of the family Amaryllidaceae. It gained attention as a wild source of the acetylcholinesterase inhibiting alkaloid ‘galanthamine’ used to treat Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. The bulbs of this plant contain the highest amount of galanthamin...

Efficient methods for callus induction and the high-frequency plant regeneration of Ruta chalepensis L. were established, and the phytochemical potential and antioxidant activity of a donor plant, ex-vitro-established micropropagated plants, and callus were also studied. Yellowish-green callus was induced with a frequency of 97.8% from internode sh...

Glycation is vital in terms of its damaging effect on macromolecules resulting in the formation of end products, which are highly reactive and cross-linked irreversible structures, known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The continuous accumulation of AGEs is associated with severe diabetes and its associated ailments. Saccharides with the...

Velamentous roots of orchids are desiccation resistant and help in anchorage and absorption of water and nutrients. The specialized multi-layered, spongy epidermis ‘velamen radicum’ is meant for epiphytic adaptation in economically and ecologically significant ‘grey orchid’ Vanda tessellata. The development of velamen tissue during various stages o...

An in vitro regeneration method with functional morpho-structural and physiological traits has been optimized for Aloe vera L. in the present study. Among the various types and treatments of cytokinins [6-benzylaminopurine, BAP; 6-(3-hydroxybenzylamino) purine, mT (meta-topolin), and 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl) urea, TDZ] tested for shoot in...

Citation: Ahmad, N.; Fatima, N.; Faisal, M.; Alatar, A.A.; Pathirana, R. Photosynthetic Parameters and Oxidative Stress during Acclimation of Crepe-Myrtle (Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers.) in a meta-Topolin-Based Micropropagation System and Genetic Fidelity of Regenerated Plants.

A high throughput regeneration protocol has been developed for Lagerstroemia speciosa through node explants under the regime of various plant growth regulators (PGRs). This protocol can provide an alternative mode to seed-grown plants and minimize the cost–time of regeneration, significantly. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing various combi...

In vitro propagation is extremely important for the rapid multiplication of a wide range of orchids. This study aimed to investigate the effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on morpho-anatomical improvements and ex vitro development of Spathoglottis plicata, a terrestrial orchid. Various concentrations of PEG (100-500 mg L⁻¹) were incorporated with...

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...

The present investigation describes the efficacy of aromatic and synthetic cytokinins, which influence the direct organogenesis, biochemical responses, and ex vitro and in vivo performance of the in vitro propagated plantlets of Dioscorea pentaphylla L., an underrated famine tuber crop. The axillary shoot bud induction was achieved on the Murashige...

C-phycocyanin (C-PC), the integral blue-green algae (BGA) constituent has been substantially delineated for its biological attributes. Numerous reports have illustrated differential extraction and purification techniques for C-PC, however, there exists paucity in a broadly accepted process of its isolation. In the present study, we reported a highl...

Ruta chalepensis L., an evergreen shrub in the citrus family, is well-known around the world for its essential oils and variety of bioactivities, indicating its potential medicinal applications. In this study, we investigated the effect of different culture conditions, including plant growth regulators, media types, pH of the medium, and carbon sou...

Mangroves are one of the main considerations that might be used to mitigate the effects of climate change in coastal areas. Mangrove populations can be affected by industrial and civil activities on coasts. According to the Kyoto Protocol, protection and rehabilitation programs may play a pivotal role in conserving mangroves in industrial areas. Th...

Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey, commonly referred to as “Shivalingi” or “Lollipop climber” is a valuable medicinal plant with a climbing growth habit used in traditional medicine. It is reputed to have antiarthritic, anti-diabetic properties and to be useful in various skin and reproductive problems. Overexploitation of wild plants and low se...

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and/or salicylic acid (SA) under arsenic (As) stress on rice (Oryza sativa). ZnONPs are analyzed for various techniques viz., X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning el...

Proteins undergo glycation resulting in the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that play a central role in the onset and advancement of diabetes-associated secondary complications. Aminoguanidine (AG) acts as an antiglycating agent by inhibiting AGE generation by blocking reactive carbonyl species (RCS) like, methylglyoxal (MGO)....

In recent years, there has been a progress in the study of glycation reaction which is one the possible reason for multiple metabolic disorders. Glycation is a nonenzymatic reaction between nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins resulting into the formation of early glycation products that may further lead to the accumulation of advanced glycation end...

Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., which belongs to the Fabaceae family, is a promising herbal drug producing forest tree widely known as the ‘Indian Kino’. An effective regeneration protocol using in vitro seedlings of P. marsupium under the gibberellic acid and thidiazuron regimen is described in the present study. Gibberellic acid was also tested to h...

In diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia mediated non-enzymatic glycosylation of proteins results in the pathogenesis of diabetes-associated secondary complications via the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The focus of this study is to reveal the immunological aspects of methylglyoxal (MG) mediated glycation of fibrinogen protein. T...

The current in-vivo study was premeditated to uncover the protective role of ezetimibe (EZ) against advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs)-related pathologies in experimental diabetes. Our results showed that EZ markedly improved the altered biochemical markers of diabetes mellitus (DM) (FBG, HbA1c, insulin, microalbumin, and creatinine) and cardiov...

RNA Interference (RNAi), which works against invading nucleic acids or modulates the expression of endogenous genes, is a natural eukaryotic regulating system, and it works by noncoding smaller RNA molecules. Plant-mediated gene silencing through RNAi can be used to develop plants with insect tolerance at transcriptional or post-transcriptional lev...

Traumatic injuries are a primary cause of anterior tooth loss and associated soft and hard tissues damage. Management of lost teeth necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. While the simplest approach in such cases remains that of a Removable Partial Denture (RPD), problems with support and retention can often lead to functional limitations and p...

A new and simple protocol has been developed and standardized for direct somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from aseptic seedlings derived from immature Brassica juncea seeds. Depending on the age of immature seeds and nutrient media, in vitro occurrence of embryogenesis and the number of embryos from each seedling have varied greatly. Th...

Ruta chalepensis L., most commonly known as 'fringed rue,' is an excellent and valuable bioactive plant that produces a range of complex flavonoids, of which rutin is the major compound present in this plant of great pharmaceutical and medicinal significance. The present study is a pioneering attempt to examine the changes in the transcriptomic lan...

Originally surface engineering encompasses an array of state-of-the-art techniques and methods which address the challenges associated with surface fortification, strongholds, and other elements of defense systems. Hence, the surface engineering of nanoparticles (NPs) manufactured for the desired applications is the hallmark of their functional abi...

Nanoscale structures have acquired large scale of scientific interests, leading them as an effective bridging medium between bulk size and atomic/molecular structures. Therefore, in recent past, scientists from multidisciplinary fields have inclined their interest to devise novel methods/protocols/designs to develop reliable, sustainable, eco-frien...

Ruta chalepensis L. is among the most spread and important medicinal plant of the Ruta genus. Rutin is the major flavonoid found in R. chalepensis with a wide range of pharmacological activities. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) facilitates the study of the transcriptome landscape in different organs/tissues of a plant. The current study was aimed to de no...

Background: Hedgehog signaling pathway (Hh) is abnormally stimulated in colon cancer. Evidence suggests the therapeutic effectiveness of andrographolide against several cancers. This study attempts to delineate the effect of andrographolide on Hh signaling pathway in colon cancer HCT-116 cells. Methods: Effects of andrographolide were studied on H...

Plant growth and development is closely dependent on the plant environment, including the widespread presence of organic and inorganic xenobiotics and pollutants. Currently, heavy metals are the most common inorganic environmental pollutants and they have pronounced effects and consequences not only for plants, but also for the ecosystem in which t...

Background "Angiogenesis" a major oncogenic signaling pathway terms to be the most fascinating area of cancer therapy. Viewing this, the molecular chaperone Hsp90 has surfaced as a potential molecular target due to being vitally engrossed in sustaining stabil-ity, integrity, and functions of crucial proteins involved in multiple signaling pathways...

Nanoscale materials with an organized geometry, especially when shaped as nanorods (NRs), exhibit strong potential to influence cancer cells as a consequence of their high surface-to-volume ratio and adequate reactivity. Nanostructured materials easily enter various types of cells and proteins and can detect and regulate various biological entities...

Background: Successful management of patients reporting with extreme sensitivity in second molar after surgical extraction of deeply impacted mandibular third molar poses a big challenge to oral surgeons and periodontists worldwide. A variety of grafts, barrier membranes, and guided tissue regeneration techniques have been used postsurgically for...

The Reactive carbonyl species (RCS) like, 3-deoxyglucosone (3-DG) is a highly reactive intermediate of the glycation reaction which may result into the formation of protein advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), like myoglobin-AGEs (Mb-AGEs) which further lead to the structural perturbations. In the present work, we studied the glycation of myoglo...

Non-enzymatic protein glycation results in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) leads to the pathogenesis of long-term diabetic complications. Iridin (ID), an antioxidant, plays an important role in protecting against oxidative stress and could therefore be an efficacious anti-glycating regimen. Herein, we assessed the anti-glyca...

Herein we examined two flavanones (persicogenin and homoeriodictyol) isolated from Rhus retinorrhoea to elucidate the mechanism of their anticancer effects in MCF-7, HeLa, and HT-29 cells. Based on the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)] (MTT) cytotoxicity data of persicogenin (500 μg/ml) caused a 58.1 % reduction in HT-...