A Review of the History of Biotechnology with a Focus on Bioactive Medicinal Compounds in the Medicinal Plant Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A.Mey, Persian borage

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 MSc student in Biotechnology,Plant Production and Genetics, University of Zanjan

2 Associate Professor, Department of Genetics and Breeding, University of Zanjan

3 Associate Professor, Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of New Biotechnologies, University of Zanjan

Abstract
Borage, generally known as Iranian Borage flower (scientific name Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A. Mey.), is among the important, well-known, and widely used medicinal plants in human medicinal history and holds a special place in various cultures and folklores, particularly in Iran. This plant appears to rank after thyme in the list of the most consumed plants in Iran. Across the world, the flowers and leaves of E. amoenum are utilized for medicinal purposes, including the treatment of stress, cardiovascular diseases, cough, and lung disorders, as well as for their tonic and sedative properties. This plant is native to limited regions of northern and northwestern Iran and the Caucasus and it also grows in many parts of Europe, Western Asia, and North America, where it is often found growing wild along riverbanks. Iranian borage is considered one of the most valuable and popular medicinal plants in Iran. The Boraginaceae family comprises more than 130 genera and 2300 species. The Echium genus includes 67 species. According to global research, Iranian cowpea contains natural bioactive compounds with health-promoting effects, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and immunoregulatory properties. In traditional medicine, the petals of this plant are used as a diuretic, pain reliever, diaphoretic, and blood pressure reducer. The principal constituents of this plant are polyphenols, rosmarinic acid, and flavonoids. This plant has seeds rich in alpha-linolenic and gammalinolenic essential fatty acids, which are among the fatty acids required for the formation of prostaglandins involved in the synthesis of the nerve myelin sheath. For this reason, it is used in the preparation of medicinal supplements to prevent neurological diseases such as MS. Genetic diversity, as well as the use of biotechnological methods such as cell culture and callus culture in this plant, is among the approaches for producing secondary metabolites that has been studied by numerous researchers and is discussed in this article. Most of the conducted research has been based on micro-proliferation. The nutritional medium used was Murashige and Skoog, and most of the hormones applied were 42-dichloroethoxyacetic acid, naphthalene acetic acid, and 6-benzylaminourea, or a combination of them.

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