title: Biotechnological interventions in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal.
abstract: Withania somnifera is one of the most valued plants and is extensively used in Indian, Unani, and African systems of traditional medicine. It possess a wide array of therapeutic properties including anti-arthritic, anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, chemoprotective, cardioprotective, and recovery from neurodegenerative disorders. With the growing realization of benefits and associated challenges in the improvement of W. somnifera, studies on exploration of genetic and chemotypic variations, identification and characterization of important genes, and understanding the secondary metabolites production and their modulation has gained significant momentum. In recent years, several in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies have facilitated the validation of therapeutic potential of the phytochemicals derived from W. somnifera and have provided necessary impetus for gaining deeper insight into the mechanistic aspects involved in the mode of action of these important pharmaceutically active constituents. The present review highlights some of the current developments and future prospects of biotechnological intervention in this important medicinal plant.
authors: a Department of Biotechnology , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , Punjab , India.
authors: Pritika
authors: P
authors: Singh
authors: a Department of Biotechnology , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , Punjab , India.
authors: Rupam
authors: R
authors: Guleri
authors: a Department of Biotechnology , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , Punjab , India.
authors: Varinder
authors: V
authors: Singh
authors: a Department of Biotechnology , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , Punjab , India.
authors: Gurpreet
authors: G
authors: Kaur
authors: b Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie , Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf , Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg , Germany.
authors: Hardeep
authors: H
authors: Kataria
authors: a Department of Biotechnology , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , Punjab , India.
authors: Baldev
authors: B
authors: Singh
authors: a Department of Biotechnology , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , Punjab , India.
authors: Gurcharan
authors: G
authors: Kaur
authors: c Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305 8562 , Japan.
authors: Sunil C
authors: SC
authors: Kaul
authors: c Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine , National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) , Tsukuba , Ibaraki 305 8562 , Japan.
authors: Renu
authors: R
authors: Wadhwa
authors: a Department of Biotechnology , Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar , Punjab , India.
authors: Pratap Kumar
authors: PK
authors: Pati
mesh_terms: D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways; D006801:Humans; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D064210:Secondary Metabolism; D032341:Withania / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054358:Withanolides / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D010940:Plant Proteins; D020011:Protective Agents; D054358:Withanolides
keywords: Withania somnifera; anti-cancer; neuroprotective; secondary metabolites; withanolide biosynthesis