Ashwani Tapwal

Ganoderma is a genus of polypore macrofungi, has retained significant attention due to its diverse microbial, biotechnological, and pharmacological properties, especially in cancer therapy and the management of metabolic diseases. The present review combines existing information about the bioactive compounds of Ganoderma species, mostly triterpenoids and polysaccharides, accentuating their molecular mechanisms in disease modulation. Special emphasis is given to Ganoderma leucocontextum, a species identified in Tibet in 2015, with notable pharmacological properties. Mechanistic studies have reported that Ganoderma species have antitumor effects by modulating key signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK, and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Their nutraceutical potential as agents to modulate oxidative stress and metabolic dysregulation is also discussed. Despite promising preclinical outcomes, constraints associated with interspecies variability in bioactive compound content, an absence of standardised methods of extraction, and limited clinical validation impede their translational application. This review underlines the microbial biotechnological potential of Ganoderma species against cancer and metabolic disorders, advocating thorough pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and clinical investigations to advance Ganoderma-based interventions in modern biomedicine. Graphical abstract

India’s elderly population, constituting about 7.7% of the total demographic, faces significant oral health challenges, exacerbated by limited access to dental care, cognitive impairments, and financial constraints. Among common issues is denture stomatitis, often resulting from poor denture hygiene. Green tea (Camellia sinensis), known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, offers a promising, cost-effective natural alternative for maintaining oral hygiene. Historically used for medicinal purposes across Asia, green tea contains polyphenols particularly EGCG that exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. These bioactive compounds effectively combat pathogens like Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, while also neutralizing volatile sulfur compounds associated with halitosis. Moreover, green tea catechins aid in managing periodontitis and show potential in suppressing oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, current evidence remains largely restricted to in vitro and formulation-level investigations; extensive clinical validation and methodological standardization are essential to enable translational implementation in geriatric oral healthcare. This review highlights green tea’s therapeutic potential as a denture cleanser and oral health adjunct, especially for elderly individuals in resource-limited settings, promoting accessible, natural solutions for comprehensive oral care.

Medicinal plants are rich sources of pharmaceutically important compounds and have been utilized for the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Valeriana jatamansi Jones, also known as Indian valerian, holds a special place among temperate Himalayan medicinal plants and is renowned for its therapeutic properties in addressing a variety of ailments. The therapeutic potential of V. jatamansi is attributed to the presence of valuable compounds such as valepotriates, sesquiterpenoids, valeriananoids, jatamanins, lignans, cryptomeridiol, maaliol, xanthorrhizzol, and patchouli alcohol found in its rhizome and roots. This study employed various treatments, including the cultivation of V. jatamansi with the inoculation of Funneliformis mosseae, F. constrictus, and a consortium of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to investigate their influence on biomass production, chlorophyll content, and the accumulation of bioactive compounds in V. jatamansi. The results revealed significant improvement in these parameters in the inoculated plants. The parameters of plants inoculated with F. mosseae were the highest, followed by those of plants inoculated with F. constrictus and a mixture of AMFs. This study not only underscores the potential of native AMF for promoting the growth of V. jatamansi but also elucidates their role in influencing the synthesis of bioactive compounds. The cultivation of V. jatamansi with native AMF has emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach, providing the dual benefit of enhancing both the medicinal and economic value of this valuable plant. This research contributes valuable insights into the practical application of mycorrhizal associations for the cultivation of medicinal plants, bridging the realms of agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

Abies pindrow, commonly known as the West-Himalayan Fir, holds great ecological importance as a native tree species in the Himalayas. Beyond its value as a fuel and timber source, it serves as a keystone species within the ecosystem. However, over recent years, extensive degradation and deforestation have afflicted A. pindrow forests. Utilizing ectomycorrhizal fungal symbionts of A. pindrow could prove pivotal in restoring these deteriorated forests. This study aimed to evaluate the diversity and composition of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community associated with A. pindrow. We employed ectomycorrhizal root tip morphotyping, sporocarp sampling, and Illumina MiSeq metabarcoding of the ITS region of fungal nrDNA. The ectomycorrhizal root tips were categorized into 10 morphotypes based on their morphological characteristics, exhibiting an average colonization rate of 74%. Sporocarp sampling revealed 22 species across 10 genera, with Russula being the most prevalent. The metabarcoding yielded 285,148 raw sequences, identifying 326 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to 193 genera, 114 families, 45 orders, 22 classes, and 6 divisions. Of these, 36 OTUs across 20 genera were ectomycorrhizal, constituting 63.1% of the fungal community. Notably, Tuber was the most abundant, representing 37.42% of the fungal population, followed by Russula at 21.06%. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of mycorrhizal symbionts of A. pindrow. The findings hold significant implications for utilizing dominant ectomycorrhizal fungi in reforestation endeavors aimed at restoring this important Himalayan conifer.

Taxus, a genus of conifers known for its medicinal significance, faces various conservation challenges with several species classified under different threat categories by the IUCN. The overharvesting of bark and leaves for the well-known chemotherapy drug paclitaxel has resulted in its population decline. Exploring the mycorrhizal relationship in Taxus is of utmost importance, as mycorrhizal fungi play pivotal roles in nutrition, growth, and ecological resilience. Taxus predominantly associates with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM), and reports suggest ectomycorrhizal (EM) or dual mycorrhizal associations as well. This review consolidates existing literature on mycorrhizal associations in Taxus species, focusing on structural, physiological, and molecular aspects. AM associations are well-documented in Taxus, influencing plant physiology and propagation. Conversely, EM associations remain relatively understudied, with limited evidence suggesting their occurrence. The review highlights the importance of further research to elucidate dual mycorrhizal associations in Taxus, emphasizing the need for detailed structural and physiological examinations to understand their impact on growth and survival.

Plant roots aid the growth and functions of several kinds of microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, endophytic bacteria, actinomycetes, nematodes, protozoans which may impart significant impacts on plant health and growth. Plant soil–microbe interaction is an intricate, continuous, and dynamic process that occurs in a distinct zone known as the rhizosphere. Plants interact with these soil microbes in a variety of ways, including competitive, exploitative, neutral, commensal, and symbiotic relationships. Both plant and soil types were found to have an impact on the community diversity and structure of the rhizosphere, or vice versa. The diversity of microorganisms in soil is thought to be essential for the management of soil health and quality because it has different plant growth-promoting or biocontrol effects that could be very advantageous for the host plant and alter plant physiology and nutrition. The composition of microbial community is influenced by soil and plant type. Besides these beneficial microbes, the soil also harbors microorganisms that are detrimental to plants, competing for nutrients and space, and causing diseases. Numerous microorganisms have antagonistic activity and the ability to defend plants from soil-borne diseases. The study of the soil microbiome is essential for formulating strategies for transforming the rhizosphere to the benefit of the plants. This review pays special emphasis on the types of microbial populations in the soil and how they influence plant growth, nutrient acquisition, inter-relationships between soil microbes and plants, stress resistance, carbon sequestration, and phytoremediation.