Determination of Genetic Integrity in Long-term Micropropagated Plantlets of Allium ampeloprasum L. Using ISSR Markers

Neoteric trends in tissue culture-mediated biotechnology of Indian ipecac [Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill]

Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill, an ethno-pharmacologically important perennial climber of Asclepiadaceae, is commonly known as Antamul or Indian ipecac. It is essentially accredited for its medicinal properties owing to its wide range of alkaloids in the form of bioactive secondary metabolites, such as tylophorine, tylophorinine, and tylophorinidine. Accelerated mass propagation of Tylophora is challenging because of its reduced seed germination frequency that consequently headed the pursuit for efficient protocols on in vitro propagation for the large-scale regeneration, conservation as well as sustainable supply of quality propagules. Ample tissue culture-mediated biotechnological investigations have been carried out on this medicinal plant till date and several micropropagation protocols have been standardized as well. The present review compares between several typical methods as well as factors, involving on direct and indirect organogenesis of Tylophora along with various up-to-date and modified techniques such as somatic embryogenesis, protoplast culture, synthetic seed production, genetic transformation, and in vitro interventions for the secondary metabolite production that have been reported in last two decades. This compilation will allow assessing the achievements and trends of Tylophora research so far, as well as will advance the research more rapidly, since many aspects, basic and applied, have yet to be explored.

Genomic profile of the plants with pharmaceutical value

There is an ample genetic diversity of plants with medicinal importance around the globe and this pool of genetic variation serves as the base for selection as well as for plant improvement. Thus, identification, characterization and documentation of the gene pool of medicinal plants are essential for this purpose. Genomic information of many a medicinal plant species has increased rapidly since the past decade and genetic resources available for domestication and improvement programs include genome sequencing, expressed sequence tags sequencing, transcript profiling, gene transmit, molecular markers in favor of mapping and breeding. In recent years, multiple endeavors have been undertaken for genomic characterization of medicinal plant species with the aid of molecular markers for sustainable utilization of gene pool, its conservation and future studies. Recent advancement in genomics is so fast that only some researches have been published till date and to a large extent documentation is restricted to electronic resources. Whole genome profiling of the identified medicinal plant species, carried out by several researchers, based on the DNA fingerprinting, is well documented in the present review. This review will facilitate preparing a database of the widely used, economically important medicinal plant species, based on their genomic organization.