Biological Approaches for Sustainable Utilization of Aconitum: A Genus Containing Valuable Medicinal Properties

Abstract

Aconitum genus (Ranunculaceae) is well recognized for medicinal worth. Diterpenoid alkaloids (aconitines) are integral part of Aconitum which make them commercially valuable. The species of Aconitum genus have very small populations in different pockets of the globe; which need effective strategies for its conservation as an important natural resource that’s why; the production of aconitines through biotechnological means is desirable. In the present review an attempt has been made to throw some focus on possible biogenesis pathway of aconitines and biological approaches to understand it. Upscale production strategies of aconitine which are going on and still need to be done correlating to other medicinal plants have been discussed. Our own efforts are also covered regarding gene mining of possible rate limiting steps with special reference to Aconitum balfourii Stapf. The aim of the present review is to give emphasis on recent biotechnological approaches to be applied which are lacking in Aconitum, however, these approaches are often being utilized in other medicinal plants for their valuable usages.