A comprehensive review on soft rot disease management in ginger (Zingiber officinale) for enhancing its pharmaceutical and industrial values.

Zingiber officinale L. Roscoe is a significant herb that possesses many medicinal and ethnomedicinal properties. Due to the presence of various bioactive compounds, it has immense healing capacity. However, ginger as a crop is susceptible to several fungal pathogens. Among all the fungal pathogens, Pythium and Fusarium spp. are of most concern, causing soft rot (rhizome rot) disease, majorly responsible for the downfall in its production by 50-90%. Pesticides and fungicides spray is generally recommended for the control of soft rot. Ample use of chemicals not only affects the quality of the crop but also disturbs ecological integrity. Therefore, biological methods of disease management involving suitable microbial agents such as Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus subtilis, Streptomyces spp. and plant extracts are attracting and gaining importance as a part of integrated approaches (IPM) to manage the soft rot and sustainably enhance the production and improve the medicinal and pharmaceutical values of ginger. The present review is aimed to discuss various means of controlling soft rot disease by physical, chemical, biological, and nanotechnology-based methods. Moreover, various bioactive constituents of ginger and their pharmaceutical importance have been also discussed.

Biodiversity, Biochemical Profiling, and Pharmaco-Commercial Applications of Withania somnifera: A Review.

Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Ashwagandha), a key medicinal plant native to India, is used globally to manage various ailments. This review focuses on the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological advances of its plant-derived constituents. It has been reported that at least 62 crucial and 48 inferior primary and secondary metabolites are present in the W. somnifera leaves, and 29 among these found in its roots and leaves are chiefly steroidal compounds, steroidal lactones, alkaloids, amino acids, etc. In addition, the whole shrub parts possess various medicinal activities such as anti-leukotriene, antineoplastic, analgesic, anti-oxidant, immunostimulatory, and rejuvenating properties, mainly observed by in vitro demonstration. However, the course of its medical use remains unknown. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of W. somnifera, which will be useful for mechanism studies and potential medical applications of W. somnifera, as well as for the development of a rational quality control system for W. somnifera as a therapeutic material in the future.

A Review of Chemistry and Pharmacology of Piperidine Alkaloids of Pinus and Related Genera.

BACKGROUND: Pinus belongs to the family Pinaceae, represented by several species across the globe. Various parts of the plant including needles are rich in biologically active compounds, such as thunbergol, 3-carene, cembrene, α-pinene, quercetin, xanthone. Of all the alkaloids, the piperidine group is one of the important component and holds considerable medicinal importance. METHODS: The group of alkaloids was initially identified from the genus Piper through which a large variety of piperidine molecules have been extracted. The planar structure of this heterocyclic nucleus enables acetamide groups to be added at various ring configurations. RESULTS: Piperidines have gained considerable importance. The broad range of its therapeutic application has paved a way for researchers to implant the nucleus from time to time in diversified pharmacophores and establish new profile. DISCUSSION: Biological functions of piperidine metabolites have been mostly examined on a limited scale, and that most of the findings are preliminary. We have tried to present various clinical applications of piperidine alkaloids in this study that researchers have already attempted to demystify with time. CONCLUSION: We have also illustrated different types of piperidine structures and their sources in different members of the family Pinaceae with special emphasis on Pinus. Given the importance of the piperidine nucleus, the study will enable the researchers to produce scaffolds of highest therapeutic efficacy.