Problems, progress and future prospects of improvement of Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari, an endangered herbal magic, through modern biotechnological tools: a review

• Published in: Genetic resources and crop evolution 2012-08, Vol.59 (6), p.1223-1254
• Main Authors: Kulhari, Alpana, Sheorayan, Arun, Kalia, Sanjay, Chaudhury, Ashok, Kalia, Rajwant K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; bioactive properties; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bioreactors; Biotechnology; Callus; cell culture; Cholesterol; chromosome mapping; Commiphora wightii; conservation programs; Cultivation; Dietary supplements; Embryonic growth stage; Endangered plants; Endangered species; extinction; Food; Food and Drug Administration; Gene mapping; Genetic transformation; Genetic variability; genetic variation; Germplasm; Harvesting; Herbal medicine; Isomers; Life Sciences; Lipids; Local population; Markers; Medicinal plants; Metabolites; Micropropagation; Molecular modelling; Multiplication; Notes on Neglected and Underutilized Crops; Pharmacology; Plant breeding; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Propagation; Quantitative trait loci; Random amplified polymorphic DNA; random amplified polymorphic DNA technique; Regeneration; Resins; secondary metabolites; Seeds; shoots; shrubs; Somatic embryogenesis; species differences; Species extinction; wild plants; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 0925-9864; 1573-5109
• DOI: 10.1007/s10722-012-9854-2

Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari syn. C. mukul Engl. (Burseraceae) is an economically and pharmacologically important slow growing, dioecious, balsamiferous woody, multipurpose shrub heading towards extinction. Commonly known as “Guggul” due to the presence of steroidal compound guggulsterone in the oleo-gum resin, it has been used in treating various ailments and disorders since ancient times (2000 B.C.). Evaluation and confirmation of hypolipidemic effects of guggul based on Ayurvedic text in 1960s provided a new insight into its pharmacological applications. Two bioactive isomers of guggulsterone, E and Z, are responsible for lipid- and cholesterol-lowering activities. Recently, it has been shown to have anti-cancerous activity also. It is found in the dry regions of Indian subcontinent, namely India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Ruthless and unscientific harvesting of oleo-gum resin from the wild, by local populations, for economic benefits with negligible conservation efforts has made this species endangered and has led to its inclusion in Red Data Book of IUCN. Although this plant has many excellent traits, adequate attention has not been focused on its conservation and improvement. Conventional propagation methods i.e., seeds, cuttings and air layering are in place but have many limitations. Therefore, application of modern biotechnological tools needs to be standardized for harnessing maximum benefits from this pharmaceutically important plant. An efficient regeneration system needs to be in place for improvement of this genus through genetic transformation and production of useful metabolites in cell cultures. Studies are in progress for micropropagation through shoot multiplication and somatic embryogenesis, as well as for secondary metabolite (guggulsterone) production in callus cultures and bioreactors. No selected germplasm is available for C. wightii since it is a wild plant. Breeding programs have not yet been started due to lack of systematic cultivation and conservation programs. Moreover, little information has been gathered regarding the genetic variability in this species using RAPD and ISSR markers. No details are available about genetic makeup and QTL linkage maps. Investigations are in progress to search sex linked markers in this dioecious species. Research is also in progress to decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying various pharmacological actions of guggul. Since the approval of use of guggul as a food supplement by United St