Colchicine Mutagenesis from Long-term Cultured Adventitious Roots Increases Biomass and Ginsenoside Production in Wild Ginseng (Panax ginseng Mayer)

Systematic identification and functional analysis of root meristem growth factors (RGFs) reveals role of PgRGF1 in modulation of root development and ginsenoside production in Panax ginseng

Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., known for its medicinal and dietary supplement properties, primarily contains pharmacologically active ginsenosides. However, the regulatory mechanisms linking ginseng root development with ginsenoside biosynthesis are still unclear. Root meristem growth factors (RGFs) are crucial for regulating plant root growth. In our study, we identified five ginseng RGF peptide sequences from the ginseng genome and transcriptome libraries. We treated Arabidopsis and ginseng adventitious roots with exogenous Panax ginseng RGFs (PgRGFs) to assess their activities. Our results demonstrate that PgRGF1 influences gravitropic responses and reduces lateral root formation in Arabidopsis. PgRGF1 has been found to restrict the number and length of ginseng adventitious root branches in ginseng. Given the medicinal properties of ginseng, We determined the ginsenoside content and performed transcriptomic analysis of PgRGF1-treated ginseng adventitious roots. Specifically, the total ginsenoside content in ginseng adventitious roots decreased by 19.98 % and 63.71 % following treatments with 1 μM and 10 μM PgRGF1, respectively, compared to the control. The results revealed that PgRGF1 affects the accumulation of ginsenosides by regulating the expression of genes associated with auxin transportation and ginsenoside biosynthesis. These findings suggest that PgRGF1, as a peptide hormone regulator in ginseng, can modulate adventitious root growth and ginsenoside accumulation.

Phytochemistry of ginsenosides: Recent advancements and emerging roles

Ginsenosides, a group of tetracyclic saponins, accounts for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical relevance of the ginseng (Panax sp.) herb. Owing to the associated therapeutic potential of ginsenosides, their demand has been increased significantly in the last two decades. However, a slow growth cycle, low seed production, and long generation time of ginseng have created a gap between the demand and supply of ginsenosides. The biosynthesis of ginsenosides involves an intricate network of pathways with multiple oxidation and glycosylation reactions. However, the exact functions of some of the associated genes/proteins are still not completely deciphered. Moreover, ginsenoside estimation and extraction using analytical techniques are not feasible with high efficiency. The present review is a step forward in recapitulating the comprehensive aspects of ginsenosides including their distribution, structural diversity, biotransformation, and functional attributes in both plants and animals including humans. Moreover, ginsenoside biosynthesis in the potential plant sources and their metabolism in the human body along with major regulators and stimulators affecting ginsenoside biosynthesis have also been discussed. Furthermore, this review consolidates biotechnological interventions to enhance the biosynthesis of ginsenosides in their potential sources and advancements in the development of synthetic biosystems for efficient ginsenoside biosynthesis to meet their rising industrial demands.

Induced autopolyploidy-a promising approach for enhanced biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites: an insight

Background

Induced polyploidy serves as an efficient approach in extricating genetic potential of cells. During polyploidization, multiple sets of chromosomes are derived from the same organism resulting in the development of an autopolyploid. Alterations owing to artificially induced polyploidy level significantly influence internal homeostatic condition of resultant cells.

Main text

Induced autopolyploidy transpires as a result of an increase in the size of genome without any change in elementary genetic material. Such autopolyploidy, artificially induced via application of antimitotic agents, brings about a lot of beneficial changes in plants, coupled with very few detrimental effects. Induced autopolyploids exhibit superior adaptability, endurance to biotic and abiotic stresses, longer reproductive period and enzyme diversity coupled with enhanced rate of photosynthesis and gene action in comparison to their diploid counterparts. However, reduced rate of transpiration and growth, delay in flowering are some of the demerits of autopolyploids. Inspite of these slight unfavourable outcomes, induced autopolyploidization has been utilized in an array of instances wherein genetic improvement of plant species is concerned, since this technique usually boosts the biomass of concerned economic parts of a plant. In other way, it is also evident that multiplication of genome bestows enhanced production of secondary metabolites, which has contributed to a significant commercial value addition especially for plants with medicinal importance, in particular.

Conclusion

This review makes an attempt to explore the system and success of antimitotic agents vis-à-vis artificial autopolyploidization, interfered with the biosynthesis-cum-production of secondary metabolites having cutting-edge pharmaceutical importance.