Research Projects

High-altitude herb Rhodiola imbricata has been identified as a potential source of therapeutic and adaptogenic molecules. This plant has radioprotective properties and adaptogenic potential against hypoxia, cold, and hypothermia. However, many HA medicinal plants, including R. imbricata, are endangered due to overexploitation, anthropogenic activities, and changing environments. Algae have evolved to withstand various ecosystems and have developed adaptations against different types of environments, producing therapeutic chemo-types. Spirogyra sp, abundant in HA, has a good nutraceutical profile, including antioxidant capacities, phenolics, and potential against oxidative stress. Radioprotection is the potential to combat radiation-induced oxidative stress. Al-2 sp showed radioprotection due to detected molecules like DHA, EPA, Ethyl linoleolate, and Stigmasta-dien-ol. Al-1 sp has adequate vitamin content and has no cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 100µg/ml, complying with NCI guidelines. The study aims to evaluate the nutraceutical profile (adaptogenic nutrients & chemotype) and anti-hypoxic potential from selected algae in stressed ecology. The objectives include collection, culture, isolation, and identification of selected algae in the HA cold desert 'L' sector, in-vivo evaluation of algae for anti-hypoxic potential against hypoxia-induced oxidative stress, in-vitro cytotoxic evaluation of screened species, nutraceutical profiling of selected species, and study on the chemo-type profile of selected species. This study aims to produce non-ecological options for nutraceutical microflora enriched with therapeutic and adaptogenic chemotypes to ameliorate hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and injuries.