Ingredients In Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Enhancing the Efficacy of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Medicinal Plants through Nanoformulations: A Promising Field.

This article explores the emerging field of nanomedicine as a drug delivery system, aimed at enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients in medicinal plants. The traditional methods of applying medicinal plants present several limitations, such as low bioavailability, poor solubility, challenges in accurately controlling drug dosage, and inadequate targeting. Nanoformulations represent an innovative approach in drug preparation that employs nanotechnology to produce nanoscale particles or carriers, which are designed to overcome these limitations. Nanoformulations offer distinct advantages, significantly enhancing the solubility and bioavailability of drugs, particularly for the poorly soluble components of medicinal plants. These formulations effectively enhance solubility, thereby facilitating better absorption and utilization by the human body, which in turn improves drug efficacy. Furthermore, nanomedicine enables targeted drug delivery, ensuring precise administration to the lesion site and minimizing side effects on healthy tissues. Additionally, nanoformulations can regulate drug release rates, extend the duration of therapeutic action, and enhance the stability of treatment effects. However, nanoformulations present certain limitations and potential risks; their stability and safety require further investigation, particularly regarding the potential toxicity with long-term use. Nevertheless, nanomaterials demonstrate substantial potential in augmenting the efficacy of active pharmaceutical ingredients in medicinal plants, offering novel approaches and methodologies for their development and application.

Multi-Omics Analyses Uncover the Mechanism Underlying Polyploidization-Enhanced Steviol Glycosides Biosynthesis in Stevia rebaudiana.

Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) is a valuable sweetener plant whose sweetness primarily derives from steviol glycosides (SGs), especially rebaudioside A (RA). Polyploidization has the potential to enhance the content of active ingredients in medicinal plants, making this strategy a promising avenue for genetic improvement. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms that contribute to the fluctuating SGs content between autotetraploid and diploid stevia remain unclear. In this study, we employed metabolic analysis to identify 916 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), with the majority, specifically terpenoids, flavonoids, and lipids, exhibiting upregulation due to polyploidization. Notably, the content of stevia's signature metabolite SGs (including RA, steviolbioside, and rebaudioside C), along with their precursor steviol, increased significantly after polyploidization. Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome revealed that the majority of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the SG-synthesis pathway (ent-KAH, ent-KS1, UGT73E1, UGT74G1, UGT76G1, UGT85C2, and UGT91D2) were upregulated in autotetraploid stevia, and these DEGs exhibited a positive correlation with the polyploidization-enhanced SGs. Additionally, multi-omics network analysis indicated that several transcription factor families (such as five NACs, four WRKYs, three MYBs, eight bHLHs, and three AP2/ERFs), various transporter genes (four ABC transporters, three triose-phosphate transporters, and two sugar efflux transporters for intercellular exchange), as well as microorganisms (including Ceratobasidium and Flavobacterium) were positively correlated with the accumulation of RA and steviol. Overall, our results indicate the presence of a regulatory circuit orchestrated by polyploidization, which recruits beneficial rhizosphere microbes and modulates the expression of genes associated with SG biosynthesis, ultimately enhancing the SG content in stevia. This finding will provide new insights for promoting the propagation and industrial development of stevia.

Comparison of quantity, quality and antibacterial activity of essential oil Mentha longifolia (L.) L. under different traditional and modern extraction methods.

Extraction is the first and most important step in obtaining the effective ingredients of medicinal plants. Mentha longifolia (L.) L. is of considerable economic importance as a natural raw material for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Since the effect of different extraction methods (traditional and modern methods) on the quantity, quality and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of this plant has not been done simultaneously; the present study was designed for the first time with the aim of identifying the best extraction method in terms of these features. For this purpose, extracting the essential oil of M. longifolia with the methods of hydrodistillation with Clevenger device (HDC), steam distillation with Kaiser device (SDK), simultaneous distillation with a solvent (SDE), hydrodistillation with microwave device (HDM), pretreatment of ultrasonic waves and Clevenger (U+HDC) and supercritical fluid (SF) were performed. Chemical compounds were identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils against various clinical microbial strains was evaluated by agar diffusion method and determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC). The results showed that the highest and lowest yields of M. longifolia leaf essential oil belonged to HDC (1.6083%) and HDM (0.3416%). The highest number of compounds belonged to SDK essential oil and was equal to 72 compounds (with a relative percentage of 87.13%) and the lowest number of compounds was related to the SF essential oil sample (7 compounds with a relative percentage of 100%). Piperitenone (25.2-41.38%), piperitenone oxide (22.02-0%), pulegone (10.81-0%) and 1,8-cineole (5-35.0%) are the dominant and main components of M. longifolia essential oil were subjected to different extraction methods. Antimicrobial activity results showed that the lowest MIC value belonged to essential oils extracted by HDM, SDK, SDE and U+HDC methods with a value of 1000 μg/mL was observed against Gram-negative bacteria Shigella dysenteriae, which was 5 times weaker than rifampin and 7 times weaker than gentamicin. Therefore, it can be concluded that in terms of efficiency of the HDC method, in terms of the percentage of compounds of the HDM method, and in terms of microbial activity, the SDK, HDM and U+HDC methods performed better.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of triterpenoid accumulation in the roots of Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T.Shen at different altitudes.

Codonopsis Radix is a beneficial traditional Chinese medicine, and triterpenoid are the major bioactive constituents. Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T.Shen (CPM) is a precious variety of Codonopsis Radix, which is distributed at high mountain areas. The environment plays an important role in the synthesis and metabolism of active ingredients in medicinal plants, but there is no report elaborating on the effect of altitude on terpenoid metabolites accumulation in CPM. This study aims to analyse the effects of altitude on triterpenoid biosynthetic pathways and secondary metabolite accumulation in CPM. The untargeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and 10 triterpenoids based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) method were analysed at the low-altitude (1480 m) and high-altitude (2300 m) CPM fresh roots. The transcriptome based on high-throughput sequencing technology were combined to analyse the different altitude CPM triterpenoid biosynthetic pathways. A total of 17,351 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 55 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were detected from the different altitude CPM, and there are significant differences in the content of the 10 triterpenoids. The results of transcriptome study showed that CPM could significantly up-regulate the gene expression levels of seven key enzymes in the triterpenoid biosynthetic pathway. The CPM at high altitude is more likely to accumulate triterpenes than those at low altitude, which was related to the up-regulation of the gene expression levels of seven key enzymes. These results expand our understanding of how altitude affects plant metabolite biosynthesis.

In silico study of alkaloids with quercetin nucleus for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 protease and receptor cell protease.

Covid-19 disease caused by the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus is a serious and threatening global health issue declared by the WHO as an epidemic. Researchers are studying the design and discovery of drugs to inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 virus due to its high mortality rate. The main Covid-19 virus protease (Mpro) and human transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) are attractive targets for the study of antiviral drugs against SARS-2 coronavirus. Increasing consumption of herbal medicines in the community and a serious approach to these drugs have increased the demand for effective herbal substances. Alkaloids are one of the most important active ingredients in medicinal plants that have wide applications in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, seven alkaloid ligands with Quercetin nucleus for the inhibition of Mpro and TMPRSS2 were studied using computational drug design including molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation (MD). Auto Dock software was used to evaluate molecular binding energy. Three ligands with the most negative docking score were selected to be entered into the MD simulation procedure. To evaluate the protein conformational changes induced by tested ligands and calculate the binding energy between the ligands and target proteins, GROMACS software based on AMBER03 force field was used. The MD results showed that Phyllospadine and Dracocephin-A form stable complexes with Mpro and TMPRSS2. Prolinalin-A indicated an acceptable inhibitory effect on Mpro, whereas it resulted in some structural instability of TMPRSS2. The total binding energies between three ligands, Prolinalin-A, Phyllospadine and Dracocephin-A and two proteins MPro and TMRPSS2 are (-111.235 ± 15.877, - 75.422 ± 11.140), (-107.033 ± 9.072, -84.939 ± 10.155) and (-102.941 ± 9.477, - 92.451 ± 10.539), respectively. Since the binding energies are at a minimum, this indicates confirmation of the proper binding of the ligands to the proteins. Regardless of some Prolinalin-A-induced TMPRSS2 conformational changes, it may properly bind to TMPRSS2 binding site due to its acceptable binding energy. Therefore, these three ligands can be promising candidates for the development of drugs to treat infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The AP2/ERF Transcription Factor PgERF120 Regulates Ginsenoside Biosynthesis in Ginseng.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is a perennial herb belonging to the family Araliaceae and has been used for thousands of years in East Asia as an essential traditional medicine with a wide range of pharmacological activities of its main active ingredient, ginsenosides. The AP2/ERF gene family, widely present in plants, is a class of transcription factors capable of responding to ethylene regulation that has an influential role in regulating the synthesis of major active ingredients in medicinal plants and in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, which have not been reported in Panax ginseng. In this study, the AP2/ERF gene was localized on the ginseng chromosome, and an AP2/ERF gene duplication event was also discovered in Panax ginseng. The expression of seven ERF genes and three key enzyme genes related to saponin synthesis was measured by fluorescence quantitative PCR using ethylene treatment of ginseng hairy roots, and it was observed that ethylene promoted the expression of genes related to the synthesis of ginsenosides, among which the PgERF120 gene was the most sensitive to ethylene. We analyzed the sequence features and expression patterns of the PgERF120 gene and found that the expression of the PgERF120 gene was specific in time and space. The PgERF120 gene was subsequently cloned, and plant overexpression and RNA interference vectors were constructed. Ginseng adventitious roots were transformed using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method to obtain transgenic ginseng hairy roots, and the gene expression, ginsenoside content and malondialdehyde content in overexpression-positive hairy roots were also analyzed. This study preliminarily verified that the PgERF120 gene can be involved in the regulation of ginsenoside synthesis, which provides a theoretical basis for the study of functional genes in ginseng and a genetic resource for the subsequent use of synthetic biology methods to improve the yield of ginsenosides.

Natural Science Mini Project Practicum through The Practical Instructions Module for Identifying Natural Chemicals in Medicinal Plants

21st century learning includes achieving the ability to communicate, think critically, think and act creatively, and collaborate. One of the efforts recommended by experts to achieve this is through the application of project-based learning. Various forms of blending are implemented using project-based learning. One form of method in project-based learning is the practicum method. This literature review aims to describe various forms of project-based learning as well as the development of practical guide modules and their relationship to several practical activities that lead to the chemical identification of natural medicinal plant ingredients. The various results of this research will give birth to alternative project-based learning by developing practical guide modules that can strengthen students' understanding of high-level thinking skills related to the classification of living things, especially plants, as well as science process skills and scientific attitudes.

Self-assembled carrier-free formulations based on medicinal and food active ingredients.

The popularity of medicinal plants, which have a unique system and are mostly used in compound form for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of diseases, is growing worldwide. In recent years, with advances in chemical separation and structural analysis techniques, many of the major bioactive molecules of medicinal plants have been identified. However, the active ingredients in medicinal plants often possess chemical characteristics, including poor water solubility, stability and bioavailability, which limit their therapeutic applications. To address this problem, self-assembly of small molecules from medicinal food sources provides a new strategy. Driven by various types of acting forces, medicinal small molecules with modifiable groups, multiple sites of action, hydrophobic side chains, and rigid backbones with self-assembly properties are able to form various supramolecular network hydrogels, nanoparticles, micelles, and other self-assemblies. This review first summarizes the forms of self-assemblies such as supramolecular network hydrogels, nanoparticles, and micelles at the level of the action site, and discusses the recent studies on the active ingredients in medicinal plants that can be used for self-assembly, in addition to summarizing the advantages of self-assemblies for a variety of disease applications, including wound healing, antitumor, anticancer, and diabetes mellitus. Finally, the problems of self-assemblers and the possible directions for future development are presented. We firmly believe that self-assemblers have the potential to develop effective compounds from drug-food homologous plants, providing valuable information for drug research and new strategies and perspectives for the modernization of Chinese medicine.

Transcriptome-associated metabolomics reveals the molecular mechanism of flavonoid biosynthesis in Desmodium styracifolium (Osbeck.) Merr under abiotic stress.

The primary pharmacological components of Desmodium styracifolium (Osbeck.) Merr. are flavonoids, which have a broad range of pharmacological effects and are important in many applications. However, there have been few reports on the molecular mechanisms underlying flavonoid biosynthesis in the pharmacodynamic constituents of D. styracifolium. Flavonoid biosynthesis in D. styracifolium pharmacodynamic constituents has, however, been rarely studied. In this study, we investigated how salt stress, 6-BA (6-Benzylaminopurine) treatment, and PEG 6000-simulated drought stress affect flavonoid accumulation in D. styracifolium leaves. We integrated metabolomics and transcriptomic analysis to map the secondary metabolism regulatory network of D. styracifolium and identify key transcription factors involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. We then constructed overexpression vectors for the transcription factors and used them to transiently infiltrate Nicotiana benthamiana for functional validation. This experiment confirmed that the transcription factor DsMYB60 promotes the production of total flavonoids in Nicotiana tabacum L. leaves. This study lays the foundation for studying flavonoid biosynthesis in D. styracifolium at the molecular level. Furthermore, this study contributes novel insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in the biosynthesis of active ingredients in medicinal plants.

Research Progress of Plant Active Ingredients in Pharmaceutical Cocrystal.

The disadvantages of active ingredients extracted from medicinal plants due to poor solubility in the body and low bioavailability limit their clinical application. Pharmaceutical cocrystal as a new type of drug in solid form has attracted the attention of researchers. This article reviews the effects of cocrystal in various poorly soluble herbal active ingredients of medicinal plants on their physicochemical properties and biological properties and provides references for the application of pharmaceutical cocrystal in poorly soluble active compounds of medicinal plants.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance active ingredients of medicinal plants: a quantitative analysis

Medicinal plants are invaluable resources for mankind and play a crucial role in combating diseases. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are widely recognized for enhancing the production of medicinal active ingredients in medicinal plants. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding the quantitative effects of AMF on the accumulation of medicinal active ingredients. Here we conducted a comprehensive global analysis using 233 paired observations to investigate the impact of AMF inoculation on the accumulation of medicinal active ingredients. This study revealed that AMF inoculation significantly increased the contents of medicinal active ingredients by 27%, with a particularly notable enhancement observed in flavonoids (68%) and terpenoids (53%). Furthermore, the response of medicinal active ingredients in belowground organs (32%) to AMF was more pronounced than that in aboveground organs (18%). Notably, the AMF genus Rhizophagus exhibited the strongest effect in improving the contents of medicinal active ingredients, resulting in an increase of over 50% in both aboveground and belowground organs. Additionally, the promotion of medicinal active ingredients by AMF was attributed to improvements in physiological factors, such as chlorophyll, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate. Collectively, this research substantially advanced our comprehension of the pivotal role of AMF in improving the medicinal active ingredients of plants and provided valuable insights into the potential mechanisms driving these enhancements.

STUDI POTENSI TANAMAN BIOFARMACA DI KAWASAN IUPHKm “HANDAK MAJU” DESA TUMBANG NUSA, KECAMATAN JABIREN RAYA, KABUPATEN PULANG PISAU, PROVINSI KALIMANTAN TENGAH

Peatland is a specific ecosystem that is always waterlogged and has multiple functions, including economic, hydrological, environmental, cultural, and biodiversity functions. Existing peatlands, especially in Central Kalimantan, have great biodiversity potential. This potential provides benefits for people living in peat areas. This diversity of biodiversity has the potential of medicinal plants that have not been maximally explored. Therefore, through this activity, data will be obtained regarding the types and potential of medicinal plants in inland peat areas, which will facilitate their management. This research activity was carried out in the “Handak Maju” IUPHKm area for 3 (three) months, from July – September 2022. The implementation method is carried out through survey activities and field observations and carrying out of the Focus Group Discussions, as well as related literature studies. Based on the results of the survey conducted, it was found that several types of medicinal plants have the potential to be developed and preserved. According to Zuhud (1991) that medicinal plants are plants whose plant parts (leaves, stems or roots) have medicinal properties and are used as raw materials in the manufacture of modern and traditional medicines. It was further revealed that, medicinal plants are still not widely cultivated. However, the advantages of treatment using traditional medicinal plant ingredients are generally considered safer than the use of modern medicine. This is because traditional medicine has relatively fewer side effects than modern medicine.

Effects of Natural Substances on Lowering Uric Acid

Uric acid (UA) metabolism, which includes uric acid production controlled by purine metabolism and uric acid excretion controlled by the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys, is the primary way to maintain the concentration of uric acid in the body. Abnormal functionalizing of the metabolism may cause hyperuricemia, gout, kidney injury, and other diseases. Over the last decade, numerous studies have been conducted on the effect of natural products, including active ingredients of medicinal plants, natural compounds, plant and fungal extracts, traditional herbal formulations, microbial products, alkaloids, etc., on the downward regulation of uric acid for treating uric acid related diseases. Based on the potential sources from 2018 to 2022, 16 studies were reviewed and considered relevant to the topic. This paper is a preliminary summary of the effects of active ingredients of plants, the extracts of plants, and traditional herbal formulations on regulating uric acid levels.

Physiological and metabolomic analyses reveal that Fe3O4 nanoparticles ameliorate cadmium and arsenic toxicity in Panax notoginseng

Heavy metal(loid)-contaminated available arable land seriously affects crop development and growth. Engineered nanomaterials have great potential in mitigating toxic metal(loid) stress in plants. However, there are few details of nanoparticles (NPs) involved in Panax notoginseng response to cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). Herein, integrating physiological and metabolomic analyses, we investigated the effects of Fe3O4 NPs on plant growth and Cd/As responses in P. notoginseng. Cd/As treatment caused severe growth inhibition. However, foliar application of Fe3O4 NPs increased beneficial elements in the roots and/or leaves, decreased Cd/As content by 10.38% and 20.41% in the roots, reduced membrane damage and regulated antioxidant enzyme activity, thereby alleviating Cd/As-induced growth inhibition, as indicated by increased shoot fresh weight (FW), the rootlet length and root FW by 40.14%, 15.74%, and 46.70% under Cd stress and promoted the shoot FW by 27.00% under As toxicity. Metabolomic analysis showed that 227 and 295 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified, and their accumulation patterns were classified into 8 and 6 clusters in the roots and leaves, respectively. Fe3O4 NPs altered metabolites significantly involved in key pathways, including amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis and phenylalanine metabolism, thus mediating the trade-off between plant growth and defense under stress. Interestingly, Fe3O4 NPs recovered more Cd/As-induced DAMs to normal levels, further supporting that Fe3O4 NPs positively affected seedling growth under metal(loid)s stress. In addition, Fe3O4 NPs altered terpenoids when the seedlings were subjected to Cd/As stress, thus affecting their potential medicinal value. This study provides insights into using nanoparticles to improve potential active ingredients of medicinal plants in metal(loid)-contaminated areas.

Effects of Altitude and Continuous Cropping on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Community in Siraitia grosvenorii Rhizosphere

Siraitia grosvenorii, a medicinal plant with continuous cropping, is cultivated in southern China. Changes in the soil microbial community during continuous cropping can cause soil-borne diseases in S. grosvenorii. This experimental study aimed to determine the differences in the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community structure and root colonization in the rhizosphere soil of S. grosvenorii with different continuous cropping years and altitudes. We tested three altitude gradients (low, 200–300 m; middle, 500–600 m; and high, 700–800 m) and four continuous cropping years (1, 2, 3, and 5 years). AMF colonization, along with AMF spore density, and the soil physicochemical properties of S. grosvenorii roots at different altitudes and continuous cropping years were determined. Illumina high-throughput sequencing was used to determine the molecular diversity of AMF in the rhizosphere of S. grosvenorii as they exhibited a symbiotic relationship. The AMF species in the rhizosphere soil of S. grosvenorii included 28 species of nine genera, including Glomus, Claroideoglomus, Acaulospora, Paraglomus, Ambispora, and so on. With an increasing altitude, the AMF colonization of S. grosvenorii roots increased significantly (p < 0.01); available phosphorus (AP) content was negatively correlated with AMF colonization (p < 0.01). Glomus and Paraglomus were the common dominant genera in the rhizosphere soil of S. grosvenorii planted for 2–5 years at a low altitude and 1 year at middle and high altitudes. The average relative abundance of Glomus increased with increasing continuous cropping years and altitude in the low-altitude and 1-year S. grosvenorii areas, respectively. Slightly acidic rhizosphere soil contributed to AMF colonization and improved the richness and diversity of the AMF community. Our results showed that altitude, AP, and pH are essential factors for predicting AMF infection and community changes in the S. grosvenorii rhizosphere. Here, Illumina high-throughput sequencing was used to study the species resources and community composition of mycorrhizal fungi in S. grosvenorii in the hilly areas of Guangxi, China. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application and practice of mycorrhizal fungi including the isolation and screening of dominant strains, inoculation of mycorrhizal fungi, and exploration of the effects of mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and active ingredients of medicinal plants.

Volatile compounds of Origanum onites L. herbal tea influenced by brewing durations

The tisanes (herbal teas), which are prepared by steeping various parts containing bioactive ingredients of medicinal plants in hot water, have long been used for the prevention and treatment of human diseases. For the effective transfer of phytochemicals to water, the duration of brewing is one of the basic factors that determine the quality of tisanes. This study was carried out to investigate the volatile compounds of Origanum onites L. tisane influenced by 7 different brewing durations (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min) by SPME/GC-MS method. To clearly understand the qualitative changes of the tisanes that bear volatile ingredients, the volatile oil (VO) of the plant was also analyzed. Oxygenated monoterpenes (81.43%) were higher than other chemical groups in the VO. Carvacrol (73.2%) was observed as the predominant constituent of O. onites VO. Other major components of the VO were determined as linalool, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, β-bisabolene, caryophyllene, thymol, borneol, α-thujene, and α-terpinene. As a result of chromatographic analysis, oxygenated monoterpenes (96.05–98.19%) were the most major group in O. onites tisanes exposed to different brewing durations. Carvacrol was predominant constituent (84.34–92.6%) in all tisane treatments.The highest carvacrol contents of tisanes were observed at 4 (92.65%), 3 (92.19%), and 6 (91.61%) min. p-Cymene, γ-terpinene, linalool, and thymol were the other main compounds of O. onites tisanes. Based on the current findings, the greatest compounds group dissolved in water were oxygenated derivatives. As a general result, the most effective brewing duration in terms of volatile compounds diversity was determined in 2, 3, and 4 min. Also, the richest treatments in terms of carvacrol content were seen at 3, 4, and 6 min.

Transcriptional regulatory network of high-value active ingredients in medicinal plants

In Figure 2 in this Review article, the two end products, Artemisinin and Arteannuin B, of the pathways shown are reversed. The solid lines of ORA and NAC1 regulating the downstream genes are changed into dotted lines. The corrected figure is shown below. The authors apologize for the error. Transcriptional regulatory network of high-value active ingredients in medicinal plantsZheng et al.Trends in Plant ScienceJanuary 6, 2023In BriefMany active ingredients have been isolated and identified from medicinal plants, including terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, and phenolic acids, which have crucial roles in the development of drugs and promotion of human health (Figure 1). Many environmental responses and specific accumulation of active ingredients in medicinal plants depend on transcriptional regulatory networks of hormone signals. Here, we review the transcriptional regulation of artemisinin, tanshinone, salvianolic acid, Taxol, vinblastine, and ginsenoside biosyntheses, which mainly involve jasmonic acid (JA) [1], abscisic acid (ABA) [2], salicylic acid (SA) [3], gibberellic acid (GA) [4], ethylene (Eth) [5], and indole acetic acid (IAA) [6] signaling. Full-Text PDF

A comparative study of the mineral elements in different medicinal plant parts of Daphne altaica Pall.

Daphne altaica Pall. is an important plant in traditional Chinese medicine. Mineral elements play an important role in the formation of active ingredients in medicinal plants. In this study, 14 mineral elements were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry using the roots, stems and leaves of D. altaica. The distribution variance of mineral elements between different organs were analyzed by statistical analysis methods such as single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster heat map. The results show that the mineral element contents in corresponding parts of D. altaica exhibited significant variation, with the order from highest to lowest being K > Ca > Mg > Fe > Al > Mn > Na > Zn > Sr > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Mo. Among them, the highest content of mineral elements are K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Mo in leaves, and the stems contains more Zn, Sr, Cr and Ni, while the content of mineral elements Fe, Al, Na and Pb in roots is much higher than the other two organs. The ANOVA revealed significant variations in the mineral element content across different regions of D. altaica (p < 0.05). Based on single factor analysis of variance, different parts of D. altaica had different fingerprint of mineral elements, and the concentration of the same mineral elements in different parts had significant difference (p < 0.05). The principal component analysis (PCA) model showed that the cumulative variance contribution rate of first two principal components was 99.10%, in which Mn, Mg and Ca have higher load values, which is consistent with the results of bi-plot and cluster analysis. These results indicated that there were great differences in absorption and utilization of mineral nutrient elements between roots, stems and leaves of D. altaica, and there was significant correlation among mineral elements, indicating that there was a complex synergistic and antagonistic effect among the elements. At the same time, the discriminant analysis of the characteristic elements provided a scientific basis for the quality control of D. altaica.

Transcriptional regulatory network of high-value active ingredients in medicinal plants.

High-value active ingredients in medicinal plants have attracted research attention because of their benefits for human health, such as the antimalarial artemisinin, anticardiovascular disease tanshinones, and anticancer Taxol and vinblastine. Here, we review how hormones and environmental factors promote the accumulation of active ingredients, thereby providing a strategy to produce high-value drugs at a low cost. Focusing on major hormone signaling events and environmental factors, we review the transcriptional regulatory network mediating biosynthesis of representative active ingredients. In this network, many transcription factors (TFs) simultaneously control multiple synthase genes; thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms affecting transcriptional regulation of active ingredients will be crucial to developing new breeding possibilities.

A Review on Some Indian Medicinal Plants useful in Hair Care

Abstract: Hair related problems are an ever-increasing problem. Compared with chemical herbal ingredients are more preferred because of their easy availability and lesser side effects. The utilization of novel medicinal plant ingredients in various formulations such as hair tonic, hair gels, hair oils and hair dyes has proved to be beneficial than the formulations containing chemical components. These novel ingredients have helped in the enhancement of the beauty of hair and help in the treatment of various hair problems such as dandruff, alopecia and many more. It is a universal problem affecting both sexes. Herbal cosmetics are now appropriate solution to the current problem. This review describes the use of some natural medicinal plants for hair growth promotion, Anti-hair fall and Anti-grey hair with a brief description of the major use, plant parts used and the active compounds responsible for the use of the herbal plants.