Research Projects

Medicinal plants have a long history of use in treating various health problems, illnesses, and wounds. India's role in the global herbal medicines market is significant, with an estimated value of $550 billion by 2030. The research into herbal medicines has gained interest due to the pharmacological potential inherent in plants. However, producing these valuable compounds in sufficient quantities for commercial use is challenging. Plant cell technology and metabolic engineering can be used to enhance the production of secondary metabolites and improve the nutritional value of plant cells. The primary focus is on identifying critically endangered medicinal plants that possess the potential to yield valuable secondary metabolites. Gentiana kurroo Royle, a renowned ethnomedicinal plant in indigenous medicine, is classified as critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List and is included among the 140 prioritized medicinal plants of India. The government of India provides a 75% subsidy to farmers to promote its cultivation. The proposed project aims to increase the expression of genes that encode rate-limiting enzymes, responsible for the production of desired metabolites. This approach could bring health, nutrition, and economic benefits, and create new nutraceutical industry opportunities. CVDs impose a substantial burden on global health, leading to a significant number of deaths worldwide. The proposed proposal will provide valuable insights into the potential of metabolic engineering to enhance the production of iridoid glycosides, with potential benefits of consistent quality, increased output, and reduced environmental impact.