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Core Microbiome


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       Robeena Sarah, Nida Idrees, and Baby Tabassum

       Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Govt. Raza P.G. College, Rampur 244901, India

      1.1 Introduction

      Medicinal plants are essentially considered complex and dynamic when used in systems for remedial therapy. Hence, their chemical composition depends upon several factors, such as botanical species, genetically determined chemotypes, anatomically a part of the plant (e.g., seed, flower, root, and leaf), storage, sun exposure, humidity, kind of ground, time of harvesting, and ecological area. Moreover, biogenic factors, such as the fungal and bacterial endophytes related to diverse parts of the plant, can influence their chemical composition. In recent years, the research and study of the multiple interactions occurring between endophytes and medicinal plants have modernized our knowledge of plant biology, with entirely unexpected and remarkable application perspectives: the probability of modulating, amplifying, or interfering within the biosynthesis of phytoconstituents (e.g., terpenes, polyphenols, and alkamides), but also to engineer the synthesis of latest molecules directly, for instance with antibiotic activity.

      1.2 Antimicrobial Properties of Medicinal Plants with Particular Reference to Neem (Azadirachtaindica)

      Moreover, medicinal plants also can play an elementary function against rising antibiotic resistance both directly for their antimicrobial activities (e.g., antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic ones) and indirectly by reducing resistance against antibiotics.

      Figure 1.1 Medicinally important parts of the Azadirachta indica (neem) tree showing flowers; fruits; twigs; bark and leaves.

      1.3 Current Trends on Bioactive Metabolites from Endophytic Microbiota of Medicinal Plants