Plants remodel their root architecture in response to a salinity stress stimulus. This process is regulated by an array of factors including phytohormones, particularly auxin. In the present study, in order to better understand the mechanisms involved in salinity stress adaptation in rice, we compared two contrasting rice cultivars—Luna Suvarna, a salt tolerant, and IR64, a salt sensitive cultivar. Phenotypic investigations suggested that Luna Suvarna in comparison with IR64 presented stress adaptive root traits which correlated with a higher accumulation of auxin in its roots. The expression level investigation of auxin signaling pathway genes revealed an increase in several auxin homeostasis genes transcript levels in Luna Suvarna compared with IR64 under salinity stress. Furthermore, protein profiling showed 18 proteins that were differentially regulated between the roots of two cultivars, and some of them were salinity stress responsive proteins found exclusively in the proteome of Luna Suvarna roots, revealing the critical role of these proteins in imparting salinity stress tolerance. This included proteins related to the salt overly sensitive pathway, root growth, the reactive oxygen species scavenging system, and abscisic acid activation. Taken together, our results highlight that Luna Suvarna involves a combination of morphological and molecular traits of the root system that could prime the plant to better tolerate salinity stress.

Leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria alternata severely affects the growth and yield of a high repute medicinal plant, Withania somnifera(L.) Dunal. Thus, to substantiate the growing demand of this plant, it is critical to develop suitable strategies to combat the effects of leaf spot disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulation is one of the key mechanisms for achieving biotic stress tolerance as it evokes multiple stress adaptive pathways in plants. Hence, in the present investigation, ROS generating and scavenging systems have been evaluated together in leaf spot disease resistant and susceptible accessions of W. somnifera. The levels of various types of ROS have been detected using different staining methods and biochemical assays have been performed to estimate the enzymatic activities of ROS generating and scavenging enzymes. The results of enzymatic activities have been consolidated at the transcript level using real-time PCR. Results show that leaf spot resistant accession has higher basal levels of hydrogen peroxide due to the increased enzymatic activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes. Hydrogen peroxide is well known as a signaling molecule that regulates a plethora of biotic stress-responsive pathways. The threshold levels of this molecule are maintained by the action of a series of antioxidant enzymes which also showed increased levels in the present investigation. Different oxidative stress markers including proline and malondialdehyde (MDA) have also been analyzed. Our study demonstrates that ROS dynamics in leaf spot resistant accession of W. somnifera due to the coordinate action of ROS generating and scavenging system could be one of the reasons for resistance against A. alternata. Hence, modulation of ROS machinery could a feasible approach for achieving leaf spot disease resistance in W. somnifera.

The present study focuses on development of a micropropagation protocol for true to type plants of Rhodiola imbricata, an endangered medicinal plant found in trans-Himalayan Leh-Ladakh region of India. It also aims at analyzing the pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites and antioxidant potential of in vitro and in vivo plants. Various cytokinins and auxins were tested for shoot proliferation and in vitro rooting of the microshoots, respectively. Random primers were used for checking genetic uniformity at different stages of micropropagation. Pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites of R. imbricata such as Rosavin, total polyphenols and free radical scavenging activity were analyzed by HPLC. Among different cytokinins used, BAP (5 µM) and TDZ (1 µM) were found to perform better in terms of shoot proliferation, shoot length and number of leaves as compared to other concentrations. For rooting of microshoots, a lower concentration of NAA (0.5 µM) yielded more efficient rooting of micro shoots (17.33 roots per micro shoot). In vitro rooted microshoots were hardened and showed 60% survival rate. The content of gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid was higher in the in vivo plant. The amount of ferulic acid was higher in the in vitro raised plant when compared to field grown plant. Furthermore, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid were higher in the in vitro raised plants as compared to field grown plants. This work will facilitate in conservation of this endangered herb and provide necessary plant materials for various biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) has recently been studied extensively for its health-supplementing and therapeutic activities against a variety of ailments. Several independent studies have experimentally demonstrated pharmaceutical potential of its active Withanolides, Withaferin A (Wi-A), Withanone (Wi-N) and Withanolide A (Wil-A). However, to promote its use in herbal industry, an environmentally sustainable cultivation and high yield are warranted. In modern agriculture strategies, there has been indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers to boost the crop-yield, however the practice largely ignored its adverse effect on the quality of soil and the environment. In view of these, we attempted to recruit Vermicompost (Vcom, 20-100%) as an organic fertilizer of choice during the sowing and growing phases of Ashwagandha plants. We report that (i) pre-soaking of seeds for 12 h in Vermicompost leachate (Vcom-L) and Vermicompost tea (Vcom-T) led to higher germination, (ii) binary combination of pre-soaking of seeds and cultivation in Vcom (up to 80%) resulted in further improvement both in germination and seedling growth, (iii) cultivated plants in the presence of Vcom+Vcom-L showed higher leaf and root mass, earlier onset of flowering and fruiting and (iv) leaves from the Vcom+Vcom-L cultivated plants showed higher level of active Withanolides, Withanone (Wi-N), Withanolide A (Wil-A) and Withaferin A (Wi-A) and showed anticancer activities in cell culture assays. Taken together, we report a simple and inexpensive method for improving the yield and pharmaceutical components of Ashwagandha leaves.

Withania somnifera is a high value medicinal plant which is used against large number of ailments. The medicinal properties of the plant attributes to a wide array of important secondary metabolites. The plant is predominantly infected with leaf spot pathogen Alternaria alternata, which leads to substantial biodeterioration of pharmaceutically important metabolites. To develop an effective strategy to combat this disease, proteomics based approach could be useful. Hence, in the present study, three different protein extraction methods tris-buffer based, phenol based and trichloroacetic acid-acetone (TCA-acetone) based method were comparatively evaluated for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis of W. somnifera. TCA-acetone method was found to be most effective and was further used to identify differentially expressed proteins in response to fungal infection. Thirty-eight differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/TOF MS/MS). The known proteins were categorized into eight different groups based on their function and maximum proteins belonged to energy and metabolism, cell structure, stress and defense and RNA/DNA categories. Differential expression of some key proteins were also crosschecked at transcriptomic level by using qRT-PCR and were found to be consistent with the 2-DE data. These outcomes enable us to evaluate modifications that take place at the proteomic level during a compatible host pathogen interaction. The comparative proteome analysis conducted in this paper revealed the involvement of many key proteins in the process of pathogenesis and further investigation of these identified proteins could assist in the discovery of new strategies for the development of pathogen resistance in the plant.

With the increased number of cholera outbreaks and emergence of multidrug resistance in Vibrio cholerae strains it has become necessary for the scientific community to devise and develop novel therapeutic approaches against cholera. Recent studies have indicated plausibility of therapeutic application of metal nano-materials. Among these, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as a potential antimicrobial agent to combat infectious diseases. At present nanoparticles are mostly produced using physical or chemical techniques which are toxic and hazardous. Thus exploitation of microbial systems could be a green eco-friendly approach for the synthesis of nanoparticles having similar or even better antimicrobial activity and biocompatibility. Hence, it would be worth to explore the possibility of utilization of microbial silver nanoparticles and their conjugates as potential novel therapeutic agent against infectious diseases like cholera.

Aims: The present work investigates the implication of leaf spot disease on the antioxidant potential and commercial value of pharmaceutically important constituents of Withania somnifera, a high-valued medicinal plant.Methods and Results: Leaf spot disease was induced in W. somnifera by inoculating Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keiss. pathogen. Total polyphenolic content and antioxidant potential showed a significant decrease during leaf spot disease. Evaluation of pharmaceutically active constituents withaferin A, withanone and withanolide A utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography showed a significant decrease in diseased samples as compared to healthy ones. Quantitative expression of major genes involved in withanolide biosynthesis also showed down-regulation in diseased samples. Alterations in the ultra-structure of chloroplasts were also analysed under transmission electron microscopy to get a better insight into the changes of withanolide biosynthesis in leaf during disease infestation.Conclusions: The present work suggests that when the pathogenic fungus invades the host plants, it evokes multiple responses, which could be studied at various levels. The knowledge gained from this work will provide appropriate rationale for controlling the bio-deterioration of the pharmaceutically active metabolites in W. somnifera and development of suitable strategies against leaf spot disease.Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first study to investigate the effect of leaf spot disease on the human health-promoting constituents and withanolide biosynthesis in this high-valued medicinal plant.

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.

The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K have been determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. The measured activity in the selected building materials ranges from (3.2 to 151.7Bq/kg), 14 to 63.7Bq/kg and 24.3 to 121.5Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively. The activity concentration of 238U has been determined using fission track technique and the value ranges from 0.11 to 3.85ppm. The concentrations for these natural radionuclides are compared with the reported data from other countries. Radium-equivalent activities (Raeq) are calculated for the measured samples to assess the radiation hazards arising due to the use of these materials in the construction of dwellings. All building materials have shown Raeq activities lower than the limit set in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report (370Bq/kg), equivalent to external gamma dose of 1.5mSvyr−1. A good correlation has been observed between 238U and 226Ra in these materials.

Radium, thorium and potassium analysis have been made in soil samples collected from some villages of Hamirpur district, Himachal Pradesh, India using gamma ray spectrometry. The work has been undertaken keeping in view the health hazard effects of these radioelements in the environment. The results for radium activity are also compared using track etch technique employing radon alpha method developed by Somogyi (Technical reports series no. 310, vol. 1, IAEA, Vienna, 1990, p. 229). The measurements have been taken using 5″×4″ NaI(Tl) detector. The gamma ray lines of 1.46, 1.76 and 2.62MeV were employed for potassium, radium and thorium analysis. The results for radium content in soil obtained by gamma ray spectrometry agrees with that determined by the track etch technique. The radium activity in soil samples of Hamirpur district is found to be within the safe limits.

The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K have been determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. The measured activity in the selected building materials ranges from (3.2 to 151.7Bq/kg), 14 to 63.7Bq/kg and 24.3 to 121.5Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively. The activity concentration of 238U has been determined using fission track technique and the value ranges from 0.11 to 3.85ppm. The concentrations for these natural radionuclides are compared with the reported data from other countries. Radium-equivalent activities (Raeq) are calculated for the measured samples to assess the radiation hazards arising due to the use of these materials in the construction of dwellings. All building materials have shown Raeq activities lower than the limit set in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report (370Bq/kg), equivalent to external gamma dose of 1.5mSvyr−1. A good correlation has been observed between 238U and 226Ra in these materials.

Fission track technique has been used to estimate uranium concentration in the samples of soil, rock and plants collected from some areas of Bilaspur, Mandi and Kulu districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. Uranium concentration in soil samples has been found to vary from 2.16 to 22.50 ppm., in rock samples from 1.41 to 10.34 ppm and in plants from 0.55 to 2.73 ppm. The anomalous uranium values have been obtained in soil, rock and plant samples from Thagan Nala region of Kulu district.