Genomic and Biotechnological Approaches for Conservation of Threatened Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Abstract

Since ancient times, human societies have relied on plants not only as a source of food but also for flavors, remedies, and a variety of other purposes. Historical accounts from various civilizations such as the Egyptians, Romans, and Chinese clearly documented the diverse applications of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). Due to their bioactive compounds, these plants possess the capacity to cure and manage a wide spectrum of ailments. According to the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 80% of the population in developing countries depend on medicinal plants as their primary healthcare resource. Their popularity is also rising rapidly in developed nations. Over 40% of pharmaceutical medicines are directly or indirectly derived from plant sources. However, many MAPs species are threatened with extinction because of unsustainable harvesting practices. In addition to anthropogenic pressure, environmental changes influence allelic diversity across genomic regions, thereby affecting plant survival and diversity. Understanding the genetic architecture of rare and endangered MAPs in their native habitats is therefore essential. Unlike food and cash crops, medicinal plants have received comparatively less focus in breeding programs, leading to lower yields and suboptimal quality of useful phytochemicals. With the advancement of modern breeding approaches, the complexity of plant metabolites is being unraveled, opening opportunities for their genetic improvement and conservation. Techniques such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based genome modification hold great promise for enhancing the traits of MAPss. Likewise, methods such as plant tissue culture (PTC) and artificial polyploidy induction are highly useful. The former enhances medicinally significant traits, while the latter allows regeneration of entire plants from single cells or tissues, ensuring large-scale production. Improved PTC methods, in particular, facilitate rapid propagation and sustainable utilization of MAPs for future needs. In addition, systematic collection and preservation of germplasm should be integrated into breeding strategies. Over the past two decades, research on MAPss has expanded significantly. Yet, continued efforts in both scientific investigation and conservation are necessary to safeguard these natural reservoirs of therapeutic compounds. The objective of this chapter is to highlight the role of MAPs in medicine and therapeutics, outline the biodiversity challenges the MAPs face, and review various basic and advanced biotechnological tools, including gene editing and polyploidy induction for their conservation, genetic improvement, and long-term sustainable use.