Medicinal Plants: Domestication, Biotechnology and Regional Importance

Description

Medicinal plant research is an evergreen subject. There is a tremendous increase in popularity of herbal medicine in traditional medicine, ethnomedicine, modern medicine and as over the counter food supplements. Even after this increased demand, supply is neither uniform nor assured as most of these plants are collected from wild. In developing countries of tropical and subtropical regions where majority of herbal drugs are produced, this is not organised sector making it vulnerable to several malpractices, hence standardization of all aspects required. This has also negative impact on biodiversity and conservation of plants as well as supply of uniform material. This book is aimed to provide up to date information about sustainable use of selected medicinal plants, their active ingredients and efforts made to domesticate them to ensured uniform supply. Development of agrotechnology, biotechnology and cultivation practices using conventional and non-conventional methods are presented. Where these efforts will lead the medicinal plant research and future perspective are discussed. The chapters are written by well recognised group leaders in working in the field. The book contains topics on general biology of medicinal plants, their sustainable use and, cultivation and domestication efforts. A uniform chapter structure has been designed to keep consistency. The book will be useful for academicians, agriculturists, biotechnologists and researcher, and industries involved in manufacturing herbal drugs and supplementary products. Preface Contents 1 Medicinal Plants Domestication, Cultivation, Improvement, and Alternative Technologies for the Production of High Value Therapeutics: An Overview 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Historical Use of Medicinal Plants 1.3 Domestication of Medicinal Plants 1.4 High Value Metabolites from Plants 1.5 Improvement and Breeding 1.5.1 Introduction, Selection, and Cloning 1.5.2 Cloning by Conventional and Non-conventional Methods 1.5.3 Improvement by Conventional and Non-Conventional Methods 1.5.4 Conservation Using Alternate Technologies 1.5.5 Production Bioactive Molecules in Cell Cultures 1.5.6 Novel Biomolecules from Medicinal Plants 1.6 Conclusions References Part I Domestication and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants 2 Introducing Wild-Growing Medicinal Plant into Cultivation: Dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris Moench)—A Rich Source of Phenolic Compounds 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Chemical Diversity of Wild-Growing Populations 2.3 The Quality of Raw Material from Cultivated Plants 2.3.1 The Effect of Plant Propagation Method on the Yield and Quality of Raw Material 2.3.2 Accumulation of Biomass and Biologically Active Compounds 2.3.3 Diversity of Plants in Their Cultivation 2.4 Perspectives References 3 Domestication of Andrographis paniculata (King of Bitters) 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Botany and Distribution of Andrographis paniculata 3.3 Phytochemicals of Andrographis paniculata and Their Importance 3.4 Domestication of Andrographis paniculata 3.4.1 Lines of Evidences in Support of Domestication 3.4.2 Phytogeographical Evidences 3.4.3 Historical Evidences 3.4.4 Diversification 3.5 Opportunities and Challenges 3.5.1 Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Its Utilization 3.5.2 Use of Wild Relative for Breeding and Domestication 3.6 Conclusions References 4 Successful Cultivation and Utilization of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott (Black Chokeberry), a Species of North-American Origin, in Poland and the Biosynthetic Potential of Cells from In Vitro Cultures 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Synonyms and Names in Other Languages 4.3 Morphology 4.4 Natural Habitats in North America and Ecology 4.5 Successful Cultivation in European Countries 4.6 Cultivation Requirements 4.7 Chemical Composition 4.8 Medicinal and Health-Promoting Properties 4.9 Significance in the Production of Dietary Supplements and in Food Industry 4.10 Cosmetic Applications 4.11 Biotechnological Studies 4.11.1 Micropropagation 4.11.2 Endogenous Production of Phenolic Acids in Various Types of in vitro Cultures 4.11.3 Biotransformation Potential of Cells in Agitated Shoot Cultures 4.11.4 Evaluation of Our Biotechnological Investigations 4.12 Summary and Prospects References 5 Cultivation and Utilization of Valeriana jatamansi Jones for Conservation Planning and Management 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Geographic Distribution 5.3 Brief Phytochemistry of V. jatamansi 5.4 Medicinal Properties and Usage 5.4.1 Traditional Uses 5.4.2 Pharmacological Activities 5.5 Agrotechnology for Cultivation 5.5.1 Climatic Conditions 5.5.2 Soil Condition 5.5.3 Planting Material 5.5.4 Methods of Propagation 5.5.5 Seed Germination 5.5.6 Macropropagation 5.5.7 Biotechnological Intervention 5.5.8 Nutrition 5.5.9 Water Requirement 5.5.10 Plant Protection from Weeds 5.5.11 Harvesting and Yield of Biomass 5.5.12 Management of Post-harvest Produce 5.5.13 Genetic Diversity for Elite Identification 5.6 Conclusions References 6 Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera—From Traditional Far Eastern Medicine to International Utilization 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Botanical and Ecological Characteristics 6.3 Domestication and Cultivation 6.4 Chemical Composition 6.5 Traditional Use 6.6 Current Therapeutic Applications 6.7 Possibility of Cosmetic Use 6.8 Applications in the Food Industry 6.9 Biotechnological Approaches 6.10 Conclusions References 7 Cultivation and Utilization of Coleus Species 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Different Species of Coleus and Their Significance 7.3 Phytochemistry of Coleus Species 7.4 Biological Activities of Coleus Species 7.5 Coleus forskohlii 7.5.1 Geographic Distribution 7.5.2 Phytochemistry of C. forskohlii 7.5.3 Medicinal Properties of Coleus forskohli and Mechanism of Action in Different Diseases 7.5.4 Cultivation and Domestication of Coleus forskohlii 7.5.5 Biotechnological Approaches 7.6 Conclusions References 8 Cultivation of Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) and Biotechnological Approaches for Improvement of Plant Raw Material Quality 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Botanical Characteristics 8.3 Geographical Distribution and Ecology 8.4 Taxonomy 8.5 Phytochemistry of the Species 8.6 Medicinal and Paramedical Applications of Hyperici Herba and Biological Activities of Its Metabolites 8.6.1 Traditional Use and Official Pharmacopoeial Monographs 8.6.2 Biological Activities Confirmed by Scientific Studies 8.6.3 Cosmetic Applications 8.6.4 Interactions and Side Effects 8.7 Natural Diversity and Cultivation of St. John’s Wort 8.7.1 Natural Locations 8.7.2 Cultivation 8.7.3 St. John’s Wort Cultivars 8.7.4 Quality of Raw Material 8.8 Biotechnological Approaches for Improving the Quality of Herbal Material 8.8.1 St. John’s Wort Micropropagation 8.8.2 In Vitro Production of Secondary Metabolites 8.8.3 The Biotransformational Potential of Cells Cultured in Vitro 8.9 Conclusion and Prospects References 9 Mango Ginger: Prospects for Domestication and Utilization 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Geographic Distribution 9.3 Brief Phytochemistry 9.4 Medicinal Properties and Usage 9.4.1 Utilization in Traditional and Folk Medicines 9.4.2 Utilization in Modern Medicines 9.4.3 Utilization in the Food, Aroma and Other Industries 9.5 Agro-Technology, Cultivation and Domestication 9.5.1 Biotechnological Approaches 9.6 Perspectives References 10 Cultivation and Utilization of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Systematic and Morphological Description of the Plant and Its Geographic Distribution 10.3 Phytochemistry (Specialized Secondary Metabolites) 10.4 Pharmacological Effects and Medicinal Use 10.5 Domestication, Cultivation, Agrobiology and Environmental Aspects 10.6 Biotechnological Approaches 10.7 Perspectives References 11 Cultivation and Utilization of Diosgenin-Contained Dioscorea Species 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Origin, Domestication, and Genetics of Dioscorea Spp. 11.3 Cultivation and Diosgenin-Contained Dioscorea Species 11.4 Yam’s Brief Phytochemistry 11.5 Medicinal and Nutritional Properties of Dioscorea spp. 11.6 Perspectives References 12 Cultivation, Chemical Constituents and Utilization of Lonicera caerulea L. (Blue Honeysuckle) in Poland 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Taxonomy and Botanical Characteristics 12.3 Cultivation 12.4 Chemical Composition 12.5 Application in Treatment and Prevention of Various Diseases 12.6 Utilization 12.7 Conclusions References 13 Cultivation and Utilization of Shiitake Mushroom 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Geographic Distribution 13.3 Nutritional Properties of Shiitake 13.4 Major Active Compounds Isolated from Shiitake 13.4.1 Lentinan 13.4.2 Lem 13.4.3 Ks–2 13.4.4 Eritadenine 13.4.5 Lectins 13.4.6 Lentin 13.4.7 Ergesterol 13.5 Shiitake Cultivation 13.5.1 Natural Log Cultivation Technique 13.5.2 Bag Cultivation Technique 13.6 Medicinal Properties and Usage 13.6.1 Antitumor and Immunostimulating Activity 13.6.2 Hypocholesterolemic Activity 13.6.3 Antioxidant Activity 13.6.4 Hepatoprotective Activity 13.6.5 Antimicrobial Activity 13.6.6 Antiviral Activity 13.6.7 Dosage and Toxicity 13.7 Biotechnological Approach 13.7.1 Submerged Liquid Fermentation with Shiitake 13.7.2 Utility of Spent Shiitake Mushroom Substrate 13.8 Future and Perspective References 14 Cultivation and Breeding of Commercial Perfumery Grass Vetiver 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Geographical Distribution of Vetiver 14.3 Phytochemistry of Vetiver Root Essential Oil Composition 14.4 Medicinal Properties and Various Usage of Vetiver 14.5 Cultivation, Breeding, and Domestication of Different Varieties of Vetiver 14.5.1 Planting of the Material 14.5.2 Propagation Methods 14.5.3 Planting Time 14.5.4 Cultivation Calendar 14.6 Biotechnological Interventions for Analyzing Diversity in Vetiver 14.7 Future Perspectives 14.8 Conclusion References 15 Cultivation and Utilization of Pandanus odorifer for Industrial Application 15.1 Introduction 15.1.1 Botanical Description 15.1.2 Industrial Importance of Pandanus Odorifer (Kewda) 15.2 Geographic Distribution 15.2.1 Origin 15.2.2 Distribution 15.3 Brief Phytochemistry 15.4 Medicinal Properties and Usage 15.5 Agro-Technology/Cultivation/Domestication 15.5.1 Vegetative Propagation 15.5.2 Climate 15.5.3 Crop Nutrition 15.5.4 Diseases and Pests 15.5.5 Harvesting 15.6 Biotechnological Approaches 15.6.1 Overview of Molecular Markers Technologies Employed in Kewda 15.6.2 Genomics Aspect of P. Odorifer 15.7 Perspectives References Part II Biotechnology in Medicinal Plants 16 Medicinal Plant Research at Crossroads: Biotechnological Approaches for Conservation, Production and Stability in Tissue Cultures and Regenerated Plants 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Problems Associated with Improvement of Medicinal Plants 16.2.1 Availability of Resources 16.2.2 Loss of Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants 16.2.3 Decline in Local Knowledge and Cultural Survival 16.2.4 Public Awareness and Need for Further Research Medicinal Plant 16.3 Conservation of Medicinal Plants 16.4 Plant Tissue Culture for Conservation of Medicinal Plants 16.4.1 Micropropagation of Medicinal Plants and in vitro Conservation 16.4.2 Micropropagation via Organogenesis 16.4.3 Micropropagation via Somatic Embryogenesis 16.5 In vitro Approaches for Secondary Metabolite Production 16.5.1 Non-transgenic Approaches for Secondary Metabolite Production 16.5.2 Transgenic Approaches 16.5.3 Metabolic Pathway Engineering in Medicinal Plants for Production of Secondary Metabolites 16.6 Ploidy Engineering of Medicinal Plants 16.7 Large-Scale Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Bioreactors 16.8 Application of Nanoparticles in Tissue Culture of Medical Plants 16.9 Application of Genome Editing Strategies and Plant Synthetic Biology in Tissue Culture of Medicinal Plants 16.10 Morphological, Phytochemical and Genetic Stability of in vitro cultures of Medicinal Plants 16.10.1 Morphological, Biochemical and Genetic Stability of in vitro Non-transformed Culture 16.10.2 Morphological, Biochemical and Genetic Stability of Transformed Cultures of Medicinal Plants 16.11 Case Study 1: Podophyllum hexandrum 16.11.1 In vitro Cultures as Means of Podophyllotoxin Production from P. hexandrum 16.11.2 Genetic Transformation of P. hexandrum 16.11.3 Genetic and Biochemical Stability in in vitro Cultures of P. hexandrum 16.11.4 Recent Developments and Application of “-omics” to in vitro Cultures of P. hexandrum 16.12 Case Study 2. Rauvolfia serpentina 16.12.1 Micropropagation as a Means of Production of Secondary Metabolites and Stability in Production 16.12.2 Genetic Transformation 16.12.3 Elicitation and Scale-Up 16.12.4 Metabolic Engineering 16.12.5 Genetic Fidelity of in vitro Cultures of R. serpentina 16.13 Conclusions References 17 Higher Plant Sources of Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agents and the Potential Role of Biotechnological Approaches for Their Supply 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Approved Plant-Derived Anticancer Drugs 17.3 Examples of Plant-Derived Anticancer Agents Undergoing Clinical Evaluation 17.4 Production Methods for Selected Plant-Derived Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agents 17.4.1 Vinca Alkaloids 17.4.2 Podophyllotoxin 17.4.3 Paclitaxel 17.5 Conclusions References 18 Biotechnological Approach to Cultivation of Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) as the Source of the Biologically Active Essential Oil 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Geographic Distribution 18.3 Phytochemistry 18.4 Medicinal Properties and Usage 18.5 Cultivation 18.6 Biotechnological Approach 18.7 Conclusions References 19 Biology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Biotechnology of European Ferns, Club Mosses, and Horsetails: A Review 19.1 Introduction 19.2 Short Characteristics of Pteridophytes 19.3 A Short Survey of Traditional Medicinal and Other Uses for Pteridophytes 19.4 Short Characteristics of Pteridophyte Secondary Metabolites and Their Medicinal Properties 19.4.1 Phenolic Compounds 19.4.2 Phloroglucinol Derivatives 19.4.3 Terpenoids 19.4.4 Flavonoids 19.4.5 Alkaloids 19.4.6 Other Chemical Compounds Isolated from Ferns 19.5 Plant Biotechnology in the Biosyntshesis of Secondary Metabolites and Conservation of Pteridophyte Species 19.5.1 The Lycopodiaceae 19.5.2 The Selaginellaceae 19.5.3 The Isoetaceae 19.5.4 The Equisetaceae 19.5.5 The Aspleniaceae 19.6 Conclusions and Prospects References 20 Solidago virgaurea L.—Chemical Composition, Traditional and Medicinal Use, Pharmaceutical Properties, Potential Application, and Biotechnological Studies—A Review 20.1 Botanical Description and Distribution 20.2 Use of Raw Material 20.3 Biological and Pharmacological Activity 20.4 Biotechnological Studies 20.5 Chemistry 20.5.1 Phenolic Compounds 20.5.2 Terpenoids 20.5.3 Acetylenes 20.5.4 Other Compounds 20.6 Domestic Cultivation 20.7 Conclusions References 21 Biology and Biotechnological Strategies for Conservation Management of Pueraria tuberosa, a Traditionally Established Medicinal Liana 21.1 Introduction 21.2 Scientific Classification 21.3 Geographic Distribution and Biology of Plant 21.4 Phytochemical Constituents 21.5 Therapeutic Uses 21.6 Modern Scientific Validation 21.7 Mechanism of Action 21.8 Biotechnological Approaches 21.9 Agro-Technology for Cultivation 21.10 Conclusions References 22 Integrated Approach for the Quality Assurance of Commercially Important Himalayan Medicinal Plants 22.1 Introduction 22.2 Need for the Quality Control of the Himalayan Medicinal Plants 22.3 Guidelines of Different Agencies for Quality Control 22.4 Sampling Methods in Quality Assessment of Medicinal Plants 22.5 Different Parameters for Assessing the Quality of Medicinal Plants 22.5.1 Documentation of Traceability Information 22.5.2 Determination of Non-specific Parameters 22.6 Morphological and Genetic Identity Tests 22.6.1 Morphological Identification Methods 22.6.2 DNA Profiling as an Identification Method for Authentication of Medicinal Plants 22.7 Phytochemical Composition Analysis 22.7.1 Targeted Phytochemical Analysis 22.7.2 Untargeted Chemical Profiling Method as QC Tool for the Quality Assessment of Medicinal Plants and Their Derivatives 22.8 Chemometrics as an Innovative Tool Set for the Determination of Authenticity of Medicinal Plants and Their Derivatives 22.9 Selected Commercially Important Himalayan Medicinal Plants 22.9.1 Aconitum heterophyllum 22.9.2 Berberis aristata 22.9.3 Fritillaria roylei 22.9.4 Jurinea macrocephala 22.9.5 Nardostachys jatamansi 22.9.6 Onosma hispidum 22.9.7 Picrorhiza kurroa 22.9.8 Rheum australe 22.9.9 Swertia chirayita 22.9.10 Trillium govanianum 22.9.11 Valeriana jatamansi 22.9.12 Viola pilosa 22.10 Conclusions References Part III Regional Importance of Medicinal Plants 23 Blessings of Medicinal Plants—History and Prospects 23.1 Introduction 23.2 Historical Progress Related to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 23.3 Significant Discoveries and Isolations in Nineteen Century 23.4 Useful Remedies Continue to Present from Ancient Times 23.5 Medicinal Plants for Animal Self-Medication and Veterinary Practice 23.6 Prospects 23.6.1 Future Medicine: Integrative Medicine and Preventive Medicine 23.6.2 Possibility and Prospects of Medical Marijuana 23.7 Conclusions References 24 Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)—Traditional and Contemporary Use 24.1 Introduction 24.2 Botanical Characteristics 24.3 Distribution and Occurrence 24.4 Cultivation and Harvesting of Material 24.5 Chemical Composition 24.6 Barberry in Traditional Medicine and Current Position in Official Phytotherapy 24.6.1 Application in the Treatment of Liver Diseases 24.6.2 Application in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases 24.6.3 Application in the Treatment of Urinary System Diseases 24.6.4 Sedative Activity 24.6.5 Antibacterial Applications 24.6.6 Antiprotozoal and Antidermatophytic Activity 24.6.7 Anti-inflammatory and Antiallergenic Activity 24.6.8 Traditional Scientifically Unconfirmed Applications 24.7 Barberry in Modern Therpy 24.7.1 Cardiovascular System 24.7.2 Anti-diabetic Function and Effectiveness in Metabolic Syndrome 24.7.3 Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity 24.7.4 Other Possible Applications 24.8 Nutrition 24.9 Conclusions References 25 How Can Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Be Evaluated as Alternative Livelihoods for the Rural People? A Normative Assessment of the Ways to Be Addressed 25.1 Introduction 25.1.1 How to Define Rural Development 25.1.2 Powerful Strategy for Visualization of the Relevant Studies 25.1.3 Visualization of the Findings Along with the Keywords: A Core Content Aspect 25.1.4 Plant Species for the Possible Rural Development: Which Is Crucial Diversity or Number? 25.2 Can all Plants Be Considered as Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Which in Turn to Be Commercialized for Rural Development? What Kind of Socio-Economic Importance has Been Attributed to the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants from the Wild? 25.3 What has been Reported and What has Been Proposed for the Possible Rural Development: A General View of the Studies 25.4 Sine-Quo-Non Roles of Woman with Respect to the Rural Development, as in all Society: Time for Preventing Development of “Bottleneck” 25.5 Which Are Crucial Factors in Conversion of Raw Material into the Functional Material? 25.6 How to Decide the Right Plant Species, at Which Extent to Be Collected from Wild 25.7 Route from Beginning to the End: From Ethno-Botany Knowledge to the Industrial Uses 25.8 Non-timber Forest Products: Not Limitation with Plant Species 25.9 How Significant are Agricultural Policies to Promote the Rural Development? 25.10 Conclusion and the Way Forward References 26 Significance of Medicinal Plants in Medzibodrozie Region, East-Southern Slovakia, for the Socio-Economic Stability of Rural Areas 26.1 Introduction 26.2 Biodiversity Protection 26.3 The Area Among Rivers—Medzibodrozie Region 26.4 Growing of Medicinal, Aromatic, and Spice Plants 26.4.1 Large-Scale Cultivation of Special Crops 26.4.2 Perspectives of New Cultivation Fields 26.5 Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) Production and its Heritage 26.5.1 Poppy Cultivation in Eastern Slovakia 26.5.2 Breeding and the Content of Poppy Morphine 26.5.3 Using of Poppy Seeds by Households 26.6 Cultivation of Elderberry and Its Anthocyanins 26.6.1 Lyophilization Technology for Anthocyanin Isolation 26.6.2 Anthocyanin Lyophilizates Enhance Growth and Inhibit Apoptosis in Rat L6 Muscle Cells 26.7 Energy Production from Renewable Sources 26.7.1 Biomass and Production of Energetic Crops 26.8 Rural Tourism and Agritourism 26.8.1 Tokay Wine Region 26.9 Territory Care 26.10 Conclusions References 27 Ecological Value, Cultivation and Utilization of Important Medicinal Plants (Sage, Oregano and Sideritis) in Greece 27.1 Introduction 27.2 Methodology 27.3 Types and Plant Morphology 27.3.1 Sage 27.3.2 Oregano 27.3.3 Sideritis 27.4 Crop Ecology and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants 27.4.1 Sage 27.4.2 Oregano 27.4.3 Sideritis 27.5 Utilization of Medicinal Plants 27.5.1 Sage 27.5.2 Oregano 27.5.3 Sideritis 27.5.4 Medicinal Plants for Helminth Plant Parasitic Nematode Control 27.6 Socioeconomic Benefits of Medicinal Plants 27.7 Economic Values of Medicinal Plants 27.8 Risks of Medicinal Plants 27.8.1 Habitat Destruction 27.8.2 Biopiracy 27.8.3 Overharvesting 27.8.4 Loss of Knowledge 27.9 Prospects and Challenges for the Sustainability of Medicinal Plants References Index