Introduction: A comparative study of Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. seed extract and developed silver nanoparticles (PJSNPs) for improving bioavailability that enhance their anti-cancer activity against HCT-116 (colon carcinoma), PANC-1 (pancreatic carcinoma), MDA-MB 231 (breast carcinoma) cell lines was performed. Materials and Methods: The green synthesis of PJSNPs (Putranjiva silver nanoparticles) was performed using PJ (Putranjiva) extract, and characterization of synthesized nanoparticles was accomplished through UV-Vis spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDAX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman spectroscopy. Results: The results revealed that PJSNPs are homogeneous, spherical in shape, ∼ 8± 2 nm in size, and negatively charged with a zeta potential of about − 26.71 mV. The cytotoxicity pattern observed was AgNO ₃ > PJSNPs > PJ extract. The morphological changes of the cells were observed by flow cytometry and also by the DNA ladder pattern on gel electrophoresis, which indicated that the process of cell death occurred via the apoptosis mechanism and PJSNPs were exerting late-stage apoptosis in all the tested cell lines. The small size and negative value of zeta potential could be the factors responsible for greater bioavailability and thus increased uptake by the tumor cells. Conclusion: The MTT assay and morphological changes observed by various methods indicate that the novel PJSNPs are a better anticancer agent than PJ extract. All the above properties make biologically synthesized PJSNPs an important target in the field of anti-cancer drug discovery.

Colchicine was extracted from Gloriosa superba seeds using the Super Critical Fluid (CO₂) Extraction (SCFE) technology. The seeds were purified upto 99.82% using column chromatography. Colchicine affinity was further investigated for anticancer activity in six human cancer cell lines, i.e., A549, MCF-7, MDA-MB231, PANC-1, HCT116, and SiHa. Purified colchicine showed the least cell cytotoxicity and antiproliferation and caused no G2/M arrest at clinically acceptable concentrations. Mitotic arrest was observed in only A549 and MDA-MB231 cell lines at 60 nM concentration. Our finding indicated the possible use of colchicine at a clinically acceptable dose and provided insight into the science behind microtubule destabilization. However, more studies need to be conducted beforethese findings could be established.

Abiotic stresses extensively reduce agricultural crop production globally. Traditional breeding technology has been the fundamental approach used to cope with abiotic stresses. The development of gene editing technology for modifying genes responsible for the stresses and the related genetic networks has established the foundation for sustainable agriculture against environmental stress. Integrated approaches based on functional genomics and transcriptomics are now expanding the opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying abiotic stress responses. This review summarizes some of the features and weblinks of plant genome databases related to abiotic stress genes utilized for improving crops. The gene-editing tool based on clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) has revolutionized stress tolerance research due to its simplicity, versatility, adaptability, flexibility, and broader applications. However, off-target and low cleavage efficiency hinder the successful application of CRISPR/Cas systems. Computational tools have been developed for designing highly competent gRNA with better cleavage efficiency. This powerful genome editing tool offers tremendous crop improvement opportunities, overcoming conventional breeding techniques’ shortcomings. Furthermore, we also discuss the mechanistic insights of the CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technology. This review focused on the current advances in understanding plant species’ abiotic stress response mechanism and applying the CRISPR/Cas system genome editing technology to develop crop resilience against drought, salinity, temperature, heavy metals, and herbicides.

Modern plant pathology relies on bioinformatics approaches to create novel plant disease diagnostic tools. In recent years, a significant amount of biological data has been generated due to rapid developments in genomics and molecular biology techniques. The progress in the sequencing of agriculturally important crops has made it possible to develop a better understanding of plant–pathogen interactions and plant resistance. The availability of host–pathogen genome data offers effective assistance in retrieving, annotating, analyzing, and identifying the functional aspects for characterization at the gene and genome levels. Physical mapping facilitates the identification and isolation of several candidate resistance (R) genes from diverse plant species. A large number of genetic variations, such as disease-causing mutations in the genome, have been identified and characterized using bioinformatics tools, and these desirable mutations were exploited to develop disease resistance. Moreover, crop genome editing tools, namely the CRISPR (clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated) system, offer novel and efficient strategies for developing durable resistance. This review paper describes some aspects concerning the databases, tools, and techniques used to characterize resistance (R) genes for plant disease management.

Species of the genus Poa are taxonomically and genetically difficult to delineate owing to high and variable polyploidy, aneuploidy, and challenging breeding systems. Approximately 5% of the proposed species in Poa are considered to include or comprise diploids, but very few of those diploids are represented in seed collections. Recent phylogenetic studies of Poa have included some diploid species to elucidate Poa genome relationships. In this study, we build upon that foundation of diploid Poa relationships with additional confirmed diploid species and accessions, and with additional chloroplast sequences. We also include samples of P. pratensis and P. arachnifera to hone in on possible ancestral genomes in these two agronomic and highly polyploidy species. Relative to most species of Poa, Poa section Dioicopoa (P. ligularis, P. iridifolia, and P. arachnifera) contained relatively large chromosomes. Phylogenies were constructed using the TLF gene region and five additional chloroplast genes, and the placement of new species and accessions fit within chloroplast lineages previously reported better than by taxonomic subgenera and sections. Low-ploidy species in the P chloroplast lineage, such as P. iberica and P. remota, grouped closest to P. pratensis.