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This investigation demonstrates an efficient method of propagation, short-term conservation, and germplasm exchange for Plectranthus amboinicus(Lour.) Spreng. encapsulated propagules. In vitro-derived shoot apices (shoot tips and nodal segments) which showed 100% survival on MS medium supplemented with 0.4 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine were selected for encapsulation studies. Shoot apices measuring about 3–5 mm in size showed the ability to break the beads and exhibited 100% survival and regrowth. The combination of 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 100 mM CaCl2was found to be ideal for forming uniformally spherical beads, and successive preservation of encapsulated shoot apices into plantlets. The encapsulated shoot tips were relatively more effective than the nodal segments in terms of shoot growth and multiplication. Encapsulated shoot tips retained the ability to regrow (63.3%) for up to 40 days when maintained at 4 °C. Encapsulated shoot tips effectively converted into plantlets on agar medium (78%) and peat moss (58%) under in vitro conditions. Encapsulated shoot tips on agar medium showed a higher shoot regeneration (9.91 ± 0.15 shoots per explant) ability than the peat moss (5.71 ± 0.34 shoots per explant), while the highest rooting (12.16 ± 0.23 roots per explant) was observed on peat moss. Thus, calcium alginate encapsulation holds latent qualities that could be explored to develop a future alternative method of propagation, short-term storage and germplasm distribution for elite genotypes of Plectranthussp.

The complex nature of marine biodiversity is partially responsible for the lack of studies in Indian ascidian species, which often target a small number of novel biomolecules. We performed untargeted metabolomics using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in two invasive ascidian species to investigate the inter-specific chemical diversity of Phallusia nigraand P. arabicain search of drug-like properties and metabolic pathways. The chemical profiling of individual ascidian species was obtained using GC–MS, and the metabolites were determined by searching in NIST library and literature data. The principal component analysis of GC–MS mass spectral variables showed a clear discrimination of these two ascidian species based on the chemical composition and taxonomy. The metabolites, lipids, macrolides, and steroids contributed strongly to the discrimination of these two species. Results of this study confirmed that GC–MS-based chemical profiling could be utilized as a tool for chemotaxonomic classification of ascidian species. The extract of P. nigrashowed promising anti-tumor activity against HT29 colon cancer 35 µM and MCF7-breast cancer (34.76 µM) cells compared to P. arabica. Of the more than 70 metabolites measured, 18 metabolites that mapped various pathways linked to three metabolic pathways being impacted and altered in steroid biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and steroid hormone biosynthesis were observed to have changed significantly (p> 0.004, FDR < 0.01). Also, higher expression of this pathway was associated with more significant cytotoxicity in breast and colon carcinoma cells.

Sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) is an ancient oilseed crop known for its nutty seeds and high-quality edible oil. It is an unexplored crop with a great economic potential. The present study deals with assessment of genetic diversity in the crop. Twenty two RAPD and 18 SSR primers were used for analysis of the 47 different sesame accessions grown in different agroclimatic zones of India. A total of 256 bands were obtained with RAPD primers, of which 191 were polymorphic. SSR primers gave 64 DNA bands, of which all of were polymorphic. The Jaccardʼs similarity coefficient of RAPD, SSR, and pooled RAPD and SSR data ranged from 0.510 to 0.885, 0.167 to 0.867, and 0.505 to 0.853, respectively. Maximum polymorphic information content was reported with SSRs (0.194) compared to RAPDs (0.186). Higher marker index was observed with RAPDs (1.426) than with SSRs (0.621). Similarly, maximum resolving power was found with RAPD (4.012) primers than with SSRs (0.884). The RAPD primer RPI-B11 and SSR primer S16 were the most informative in terms of describing genetic variability among the varieties under study. At a molecular level, the seed coat colour was distinguishable by the presence and absence of a group of marker amplicon/s. White and brown seeded varieties clustered close to each other, while black seeded varieties remained distanced from the cluster. In the present study, we found higher variability in Sesamum indicumL. using RAPD and SSR markers and these could assist in DNA finger printing, conservation of germplasm, and crop improvement.

Several tribal medicinal systems assert anti-migraine and common headache-remedying properties in all parts of Priva cordifolia(L.f.) Druce. Therefore, there are no clear scientific references to the validated traditional use of this plant. The present study provides a scientific basis for the ethnobotanical utility of P. cordifoliawhose whole-plant extracts were evaluated against target proteins (PACAP 38 and PAC1-R) that cause migraine. Understanding the polarity-based distribution and oxidative stress scavenging ability was reported higher in ethyl acetate extracts due to the moderate distribution of secondary metabolites. Based on the preliminary analysis anti-migraine activity in the wet and dry lab experiments was compared with a commercial drug Sumatriptan. The GC–MS analysis revealed that two lead volatile compounds Bicyclo(3.2.1)oct-3-en-2-one,3,8-Dihydroxy-1-methoxy-7-(7-methoxy-1,3- and -Hexyl-2-nitrocyclohexane, present in the ethyl acetate extract showed favourable in silico anti-migraine efficiency. Notably,the ex-vivoresults also showed considerable downregulation of the extract-induced mRNA expression of PACAP38. The conclusion of our study justifies that P. cordifoliahas valuable plant metabolites that portray it as an efficient anti-oxidant and anti-migraine source.

A bacterium, isolated from nodules of chickpea grown in alluvial soils of Haryana state of India, designated as IC-76 was characterized for in vitro plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties and further evaluated under greenhouse, on-station and on-farm field conditions for PGP activity in chickpea. The isolate IC-76 produced indole acetic acid, siderophore, hydrocyanic acid, cellulase, protease, and β-1,3-glucanase. When the bacterium was evaluated individually for their PGP potential in the greenhouse on chickpea and in combination with five Streptomycessp. (strains CAI-24, CAI-121, CAI-127, KAI-32, and KAI-90; demonstrated earlier as biocontrol potential against Fusariumwilt disease in chickpea), the traits, including nodule number and weight, shoot, and root weight, pod number and weight, seed number and weight, available phosphorus and  % organic carbon were found significantly, enhanced over un-inoculated control. In the on-station and on-farm field conditions, IC-76 significantly enhanced nodule number and weight, shoot, and root weight, stover and grain yield and total dry matter. In the rhizosphere (0–15 cm soil), the bacterium also significantly enhanced the total nitrogen, available phosphorus and  % organic carbon. The sequence of 16S rDNA gene of the IC-76 was matched with Pseudomonas geniculatain BLAST analysis. This study demonstrates that IC-76 has the potential for PGP in chickpea.