Botanical Role, Sources, Bioactive Compounds in Medicinal and Genetically Modified Crops

Abstract

The chemical compounds extracted from medicinal plants have potential to evoke mental and social sensations in addition to maintain physical health. . Species of Asteraceae and Liliaceae play significant cardiovascular roles irrespective of exploring their toxicological aspects. Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleotides, fats, and steroids are the primary organic compounds which are involved in metabolism of essential developmental and growth functions of plants. The detrimental effects of environmental stress factors are suppressed by the gene expressions of ion transporters and water channel proteins present in the cell membranes incorporated with the up or downregulation of osmo-proctant osmolytes and essential proteins such as HSP and chaperones. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important crop known for its food, forage, and silage constituents. It is a prominent specie in Asteraceae family. Its seeds are enriched with edible oil-world’s fourth largest oil source. The mineral elements, dietary fibers, and secondary metabolites such as carotenoids, flavonoids, tocopherols, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, peptides, phytosterols, triterpene glycosides, and vitamins contribute towards nutraceutical roles. Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) possesses antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties which allow its applications in preventing muscle spasms, treating sore throat and ulcers of duodenum and stomach, soothing eczema, healing wounds, and relieving rashes.