Cultivating nature's pharmacy: Strategies for medicinal plants improvement

Abstract

Medicinal plants being a source of bioactive agents are utilized worldwide in traditional and modern systems of medicine. The therapeutic properties are accredited to secondary metabolites synthesized by medicinal plant species. However, low concentration of bioactive secondary metabolites synthesized by these plants often leads to their over-harvesting from natural habitats to meet the growing demands of pharmaceutical companies. Climate change as well as the re-emergence of interest in herbal medicines worldwide has imposed extra pressure on medicinal plant populations many of which are now endangered, rare or threatened. Traditional methods of cultivation such as seed banks and protected areas have limitations in preserving genetic diversity of these valuable medicinal plants. Therefore, integration of omics and biotechnological tools has emerged as promising solution for improvement of medicinal plants. The current review deals with the current status of omics and genetic engineering approach in medicinal plant research, highlighting their potential as well as challenges. In addition, immense opportunities offered by less explored field of plant–endophyte interactions in imparting resistance to environmental stresses as well as enhancing valuable secondary metabolite production have been discussed. The review provides an updated information and critical assessment of each strategy for improvement of medicinal plants.